More than $12,000 was raised on the road and on the dance floor last Saturday to help Paula McGladrey, who was seriously burned in an arson incident in January.
A popular waitress who once worked at the Dalby House in Elora, McGladrey has been in the hospital since Jan. 31, when someone inexplicably set fire to the front of the townhouse she shared with her 24-year-old son Andrew on Greengate Road in Guelph. Andrew helped his mother escape from the home, which was completely gutted by the blaze.
Elora resident Angie Walser and other supporters organized a benefit dance for McGladrey at the Elora Legion on May 9. Media reports promoting the event reached members of the Canadian Army Veterans (CAV), who decided to support the cause, Walser explained.
About 150 members of the group rode their motorcycles from Kitchener to Elora, raising about $2,600 through pledges.
“Paula went through a terrible fire and we’ve seen that right across Canada where people in time of need [require] people to help them and our organization, the CAV, has been doing that for 12 years,” said Paul “Trapper” Cane, co-founder and former national president of CAV.
Cane, who explained the group helps both veterans and citizens through fundraising rides, noted that in addition to the Elora ride, 20 others were held across Canada on Saturday.
“The Canadian army, navy and air force, they taught us to leave things better than we found them and we’re just continuing this service to Canada, on motorcycles this time.”
The Saturday night dance raised about $10,000, which Walser said will help McGladrey through her recovery process and help her get re-established after she basically lost everything in the fire.
“We’re amazed … overwhelmed with the support from the community, people who have never met Paula, like the bikers that are here today; it’s just been incredible,” said Walser.
McGladrey is making good progress and may even be released from the hospital next week, continuing her rehab at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Guelph as an outpatient.
“She’s doing well. She’s got a long road ahead of her, but she’s come a long way,” said Walser.
