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Winky rides on, Greb’s first glide raised over $5000 for FMSPCA

Last Updated Aug 23, 2017 at 3:13 pm MDT

PHOTO. Greb of "Winky Rides" in the sidecar of his owners motorcycle. Jenna Hamilton. MORNING NEWS ANCHOR.

The legacy of Winky, the motorcycle riding German Shepard lives on.

Winky was a famous face around Fort McMurray, often spotted riding in the side car of his owner’s, Sandy MacDonald, motorcycle.

After getting stopped so many times by other motorists and people for photos, the duo starting selling shirts and raising money for the SPCA.

“It started with the t-shirt sales and we would get two to three hundred bucks and it just got bigger and bigger,” said MacDonald.

Winky passed away in October 2016. Earlier this year, MacDonald was able to get another furry friend to fill his shoes, Greb.

Greb was born right into the motorcycle life. On his first “glide”, him and MacDonald travelled 3769 kilometer in one week, riding all over Alberta, down into the United States and back to Fort McMurray.

Along the way Greb raised $5135 for Winky’s and now his, cause for paws. That brings the total amount of money raised to over $60,000 to which they donated to the Fort McMurray SPCA on Wed., Aug. 23.

PHOTO. Greb and Sandy Macdonald in the Winky memorial garden at the FMSPCA with staff. Melanie Walsh. AFTERNOON NEWS ANCHOR.
PHOTO. Greb and Sandy Macdonald in the Winky memorial garden at the FMSPCA with staff. Melanie Walsh. AFTERNOON NEWS ANCHOR.

 

Although Winky will always be missed in the community, Fort McMurray is happy to welcome Greb.

“It’s kind of amazing actually, people look, stop, blow the horn and chase us down for pictures,” said MacDonald.

MacDonald and Greb invite the community to say hello anytime. On Sept. 10, they will be having a memorial ride for Winky and a friend and all donations will go towards cancer awareness.

MacDonald was also nominated to for Molson Canada’s Taste of Canada. For Canada’s 150th, the beer company is recognizing 150 Canadians who make this country special. Macdonald received one of 150 Molson Canada beer fridges.  He decided to raffle off the fridge with all of the proceeds going towards the cause for paws. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and are available at Follow the Son Tattoo in Gregoire.

You can follow Macdonald and Greb along their glides on Facebook.