JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Nearly 200 bikers came together for a ride that was more than a scenic view of Jacksonville, but way to brighten the lives of area children Saturday.
The annual Ride For Dreams helps the group, Dreams Come True fulfill the wishes of local children battling life-threatening illnesses.
For most of the bikers taking part in the Ride for Dreams, this wasn't their first time riding a motorcycle. But for 8-year-old Patrick Quick it was, and he was excited and ready.
"It feels like I am in a place where I feel comfortable in because there's all the police everywhere in your protected," said Quick.
The 8-year-old has ADEM, a rare disease in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own brain tissue.
He spent a month in a coma, but now as a part of the Dreams Come True program, he's spending the day in a side car, doing what he loves.
"I like motorcycles and I just have an interest for motorcycles and cars and bicycles and all of that stuff," said Quick.
Patrick Quick took off for the ride across Jacksonville's bridges from Ademec Harley-Davidson. He was with his dad, who participated in the ride even before his son's diagnosis.
"I never thought that I would be on the receiving end of it and now that I have been it makes it worth that much more to be able to put another family in the same position I was in where you're sitting in the bottom of a really dark place and to have that little beam of light to come in," said Pat Quick.
This is the sixth annual Ride for Dreams. with 175 riders showing up to take part in it. That's the most riders they've had the event started. Everyone had their reason for taking part.
"I think it's No.1 important because I figure since I don't have children that is given me the gift of being around so that I can help other people and so it's important in that respect," Said Deborah Preece, a rider.
"They all come together for one purpose and that is to raise money so that this charity here in Jacksonville is well supported and and when we look back and see a child smile, it makes it worth it," said Hart Sutton, director of Jax Hog.
No matter what brought each biker out, organizers say it's all about one thing, the children they help.