U-Turn Parkinson’s is hosting its 3rd annual Team 81 Ride event to help continue offering free programming for people living with Parkinson’s in the community.
“U-Turn Parkinson’s is a health and wellness centre that is focused on providing holistic, evidence-based wellness programming for people living with Parkinson’s disease,” says Executive Director Dauda Sulaiman Dauda.
The organization has expanded to three locations, with two in Winnipeg, and as of January 2026, one location in Winkler to support the community in the Pembina Valley.
“We’ve got a great group of folks out there already,” says Jordana Donnelly, the daughter of founder Tim Hague Sr. and Program Manager at U-Turn. “We have two really wonderful instructors as well as an assessor. We’ve got about 35 people that regularly attend. If you’re in the area, you’re more than welcome to reach out. Come join us!”
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Ambassador Kyle Connor from the Winnipeg Jets
The Team 81 Ride event is their third annual fundraiser of its kind. The name comes from the Winnipeg Jets forward and left wing Kyle Connor, whose number is 81.
“Kyle has a personal relationship to Parkinson’s, as his dad and grandfather lived with Parkinson’s disease. He went to his team, and said, ‘Hey, I would love to get involved with the local Parkinson’s community. Can you look into the organizations that are doing good work here in Winnipeg?’ We were lucky enough to make that connection.”
While Connor hasn’t been able to make it out to the event, he’s an advocate for U-Turn.
“He’s just a really down-to-earth guy. He really wants to do what he can to raise awareness. He knows that exercise is a big piece to living well with Parkinson’s, to managing your symptoms, and his support has made a huge difference.”
Participants, especially the children, are encouraged to decorate their bicycles for the event, as three winners will receive signed Jets merch by Connor.
Team 81 Ride
This year’s fundraising ride will take place at Assiniboine Park on Aug. 29.
“Over the past two years we’ve had this event,” says Sulaiman Dauda. “The first one was going across Manitoba. The second one was a little less grueling. It was within Winnipeg. This year’s event will also be within Winnipeg with different ride distances to accommodate capacities of cyclists.”
The distances will be 81 km, 40, 20, and then a victory lap around Assiniboine Park of 2.5 km for anyone to participate in at the end.