NORWICH – The fourth annual “Heidee’s Cruise for Diabetes” will take place on Aug. 6. Sign ups will begin at 9 a.m. behind Denny’s in Norwich.

The entrance fee will be $10 dollars per person with all proceeds being donated to the American Diabetes Association. The motorcycle ride will begin at 10:30 a.m. and stop periodically at locations around Chenango County for refreshments. The final stop will be the Balsam Inn in East Pharsalia which will host bike games, raffle prizes and a D.J.

According to Nancy MacLaury, who founded and organized the ride 4 years ago in memory of her daughter, people really enjoy the experience each year. However, as fun as it may be, MacLaury explained, the purpose of the ride is to benefit those who suffer from the illness and the families who support them.

“I lost my daughter to this illness,” said MacLaury. “[But] raising this money will help another mother, brother, son or daughter from having to go through that.”

MacLaury started the cruise only six months after losing her daughter who had been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. “My son said, ‘We oughta do a bike run,’ and that started the whole thing.” MacLaury explained that their whole family, including Heidee, loved motorcycles and the idea of a bike run seemed like the perfect plan.

According to MacLaury, it was a family process from the start. He son and daughter-in-law did that door-to-door fundraising while she handled the mail and e-mail end of the spectrum. “A lot of the family pitches in,” she said. “They bring food and salads galore ... and crafts like handmade necklaces.”

The event has steadily grown since the first year as word has spread about MacLaury’s noble cause. “The first year we had 35 entries ... by last year we had 60,” said MacLaury. She said she hopes this year will draw an even bigger crowd as word has spread across the county.