The 2026 Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride or Walk has officially made history.
On Sunday, June 7, a sea of over 700 riders, striders and supporters descended upon Sutherland Bay Park, resulting in the highest attendance and the largest fundraising total ever recorded in the event’s history.
Brought to us by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation and presented by Nixon Hospitality Group, this year’s event completely shattered previous milestones, proving that the Okanagan’s dedication to mental wellness and community resilience is stronger than ever.
The incredible momentum was further amplified by the on-site support of former NHL superstars and mental health advocates Theoren Fleury and Martin Gélinas, who both joined local participants on the pavement to ride for hope.
“I am completely overwhelmed by the love and generosity our community showed this week. When we started planning this year’s event, we were essentially building our network from the ground up with a completely blank database" says Tom Budd.
"To look out at Sutherland Bay Park and see a record-breaking crowd turning out is a feeling I can’t fully put into words. This community did what it does best: it rallied, it spoke out, and it showed up for one another. My sons would be incredibly proud.”
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100% Local Impact
Funds raised from this historic day stays entirely local, directly funding grassroots mental wellness initiatives right here in the Okanagan.
The proceeds will support six vital local charities that provide essential, frontline mental health resources:
From youth counselling and emergency crisis support to addiction recovery and outdoor therapy programs, these organizations represent the absolute "boots-on-the-ground" support system for individuals of all ages across Kelowna.
It Takes a Village
Event organizers are expressing deep gratitude to the village of volunteers, sponsors, individuals, and teams who spent weeks putting out signs, spreading the word, and raising crucial funds. By breaking down the barriers of stigma and coming together in record numbers, Kelowna has once again proven that in this community, nobody has to ride or walk their path alone.
While the 2026 event has wrapped up, donations are still being accepted through the end of June to support the final charity tallies. To contribute or learn more, click this link.
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