LAPLACE — In the wake of losing her 27-year-old son, William, to an accidental fall in 2014, Vicki Cain of Destrehan turned her sorrow into service, setting out to keep his memory alive by giving back to the community.

Amid serving flood victims, raising money for the animal shelter and doing photo shoots for charities, Cain discovered the annual Great Cycle Challenge fundraiser for children’s cancer research.

Cain’s group, WILLjack Power, has a collective goal to ride 2,000 miles and raise $5,000 in donations for the month of June. Cain is challenging herself to contribute 400 miles and $2,000 to that goal.

“My mantra is ‘running on Will-power,’” Cain said. “In 2015 I planned and organized my first ‘Run 4’ event for the St. Charles Parish Fallen Heroes Memorial and it has taken off from there. I stay busy, sometimes almost too busy, but this helps me deal with my grief.

“Along the way I got into bike riding and realized I really like helping raise money for children’s cancer research.”

The community can help Cain’s team reach its goal by turning out for the inaugural Ruddock Gator Swamp Fun Ride from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Bec’s at the Lake Restaurant, located at 105 Gary Road in LaPlace.

Participants will embark on a 16-mile bike ride along the Old 51 Manchac Greenway and enjoy a celebration at the Bec’s at the Lake Dock Pavilion upon their return.

Two deputies have been hired to promote safety on the ride. According to Cain, riders are required to provide their own bikes and helmets, and participants should be able to keep up a pace of 10 miles per hour for 16 miles.

A $25 donation fee will be collected at the 8 a.m. check-in, and registration is available on-site. Pre-registration is preferred and available at eventbrite.com/e/ruddock-gator-swamp-ride-tickets-46920840497.

The Fun Ride is a collaborative project between Cain and Bec’s at the Lake owner George Becnel, who have cycled together for the past year.

Becnel said 50/50 raffle and door prizes will be available at the celebration, which is also open to those who do not participate in the ride.

Proceeds from lunch sales off the menu benefit Cain’s Great Cycle Challenge team, he said.

“We wanted to host the event because it’s all part of being involved in the community,” Becnel said. “There are no winners, no losers. It’s about having a fun ride for a good cause.”

Going forward, Becnel hopes to bring awareness to the Manchac Greenway as a designated shared highway.

For more information about The Ruddock Gator Swamp Fun Ride, visit Bec’s at the Lake Restaurant and Catering on Facebook.

To sponsor Cain’s Great Cycle Challenge team and benefit children’s cancer research, visit GreatCycleChallenge.com/Teams/WILLjackPower/c.