Affordable Ride to raise money in memory of cancer victim

A Bermudian tour guide plans to donate money to help cancer victims after helping a dying woman spend her last days in Bermuda.

Michal Tucker of Affordable Ride helped to arrange for Patti Svika-Buckner to see Bermuda one last time as she was dying of cancer last May.

She was a frequent cruise visitor to the island and had called Bermuda her “happy place”.

He was so touched by  Svika-Buckner, he plans to donate 10 per cent of his earnings in July to the Bermuda Cancer Society.

“Her family contacted me to tell me that on her last days, she really wanted to visit Bermuda one more time. She kept calling my name and Bermuda in the same sentence.

“They put some funds together and brought her down. Tucker, along with the Bermuda Cancer Society, Salt Rock Grill, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Valerie Leader from the Department of Tourism, helped to show Svika-Buckner a good time.

“When she got home, she passed away. Her daughter entered a contest and wrote about the people in Bermuda. She didn’t win but that really stuck out to me.

“This year, now that my services have stepped up and my product is getting recognised by really big American excursion companies, I decided for the month of July I’m going to take 10 per cent of the income and donate it to Bermuda Cancer Society in Patti’s name.”

He continued: “I’m hoping to get enough funds so that I can bring her daughter here to present their money to them.

“Also, for her to meet in person the people who cared for her mother.

“It’s a good deed plus I had people in my family who passed away from this illness and the cancer society took care of my mother, father and sister.”

Tucker said anyone who books a tour through his company from now until the end of July would be helping to donate to the cause. I have vendors so if you want to take a ride around the island just to participate in this, I can put a taxi driver on it.

“He can get his rate minus the ten percent.”

In addition to booking tours, Mr Tucker has arranged a special deal with Salt Rock Grill where they will donate ten percent off a certain menu to help the cause.

Mr Tucker said the restaurant hasn’t decided exactly what menu that will be.

‘This is my way of helping out Bermuda. Again, we are doing something and it helps the charity
because people who are planning to come here will read the story and help me out with my cause.

“I think it’s a good deed and life has been good to me so I have a chance to help.” n

For more information or to donate, Mr Tucker can be contacted through his website, www.affordablerideminibus.com