When Mandeep left us in 2012 we were devastated, we were shattered and didn’t know how to deal with this unbearable pain. Even after he left us, we always felt him around us and his presence in our hearts always gave us courage . We have millions of good memories to cherish and when we think about him, it’s the happy times we shared that always come in front of our eyes and leave a beautiful smile on our faces.

We as a family decided to celebrate the beautiful life he shared with us, we wanted to do something positive in his memory. Raja lived the life of a King and happily gave to others whether it be a materialistic thing or happiness, so we wanted to continue this in his memory.

I had a goal in my life that was inspired by Oprah Winfrey to help kids financially for their studies. After Mandeep passed away, I decided to dedicate my goal to my brother and in 2013 we came together as a family, with our friends and our generous community and started Mandeep Singh Cheema Charitable Foundation on his birthday 23rd June.

We started the foundation as a gala and then In 2015 my brother Tej wanted to start a Bike Ride in his memory. Once again we put our heads together and started Ride For Raja. We have such an amazing team who comes together every year and makes our event a success.

We want to thank all our sponsors who support us every year. Gaurdians Of Children, Sikh Motorcyle Club Ontario and all the participants who make it a huge success.

I personally want to thank my husband Prabhsarup Gill who stands behind me like a rock, helps me to put all my dreams and goals into actions, bears all my mood swings and puts in huge efforts to make this ride a success year after year.

We really feel blessed to have the support and love from our family, friends, volunteers, sponsors and participants.

Mandeep Singh Cheema (Raja) was my uncle whom I was very close to and his passing was the first time I had ever experienced loss. After he passed I didn’t understand how to deal with my grief, all I wanted to do was be helpful and feel useful to my family to help them feel better. Not only did the loss of Mandeep leave a emptiness in all our hearts but I watched my family suffer in a way I never knew was possible.

When my aunt came up with the idea of starting M.S.C.C.F. I knew it was my duty to represent the next generation in my family. I knew I had to do this to make my uncle proud and to keep his memory alive. The events held by this foundation are a labour of love, we strive to make our event better every year, to not only make Mandeep proud, but to give strength to everyone who has ever lost anyone, so that they can feel proud as well.

Since we lost Mandeep, I became a wife and I became a mother, two things I never thought would happen without him being a part of these huge life events. Being a wife and mother has given me a bigger sense of responsibility than I ever imagined, not only to my husband and son but to the community in which we live. I want my husband and I to try our best and live by example and show our son the importance of giving back to our community in any way possible.

In September of 2012 I lost my little brother Mandeep Cheema in a motorcycle accident. This loss to our family was very difficult, both myself and Raja were very close growing up, we were always riding scooters and bikes, it was our passion.

When our elder sister Navdeep Gill started Mandeep Singh Cheema Charitable Foundation in memory of Raja, it was fitting to suggest turning the gala into a bike ride. After some deliberation, Tracey and I and then the whole family decided to support the idea of a bike ride and Ride for Raja was born!

Raja and myself have been riding since we were kids, we would take off with whom ever had dropped their bikes or scooters at our family farm, we got in a lot of trouble, but it was worth every bit. Even though it was hard for the family, Tracey and I wanted to start this ride in his memory, to honour his passion.

Our club, Guardians of the Children has been supporting the ride since it’s beginning. I’d like to sincerely thank all the riders who have participated over the years and helped this vision come to life.

At the age of 16 I experienced the most heartbreaking incident; I lost my Raja Mamu. He was a second father, mentor and best friend all in one. I live my life asking myself, “What would Raja Mamu do?” and as cliché as it may sound everything becomes clear and I’m ready to face the challenges ahead. I aspire to be as compassionate and hardworking as Raja. When my mom first came to me with the idea of starting MSCCF I was so proud of her for taking her grief and making it into something so empowering and beautiful. I believe in kindness and hope to spread love and support to everyone that I can in life. A big thank you to Raja Mamu for showing me how the smallest gestures impact people’s lives forever.