A former Red Hawks athlete of the year rolled through town ahead of schedule with a tailwind on a cross-country bicycle tour to educate people about improving health.

The former Carnarvon resident Debbie Ray, who won the Haliburton Highlands Secondary School athletic honour in 2002-2003, is coming with husband Carlin Val, as part of her initiative to raise awareness about preventative measures for chronic disease.

They started their 7,000 km ride in Stanley Park in Vancouver on July 5.

She hopes people can take some time to see her Monday.

Ray hopes to raise $1 for each kilometre.

The two teachers have ridden from Vancouver and will be stopping in Carnarvon in the morning and moving onto Haliburton and will be in Head Lake Park close to noon on Monday, Aug. 20. They will continue their ride for awareness until finishing in Halifax in September.

She started her own non-for-profit organization Cycle 2 Save (www.cycle2save.ca) and has held presentations, given speeches and offered education regarding daily activity and how proper nutrition can be a means to prevent chronic disease, mental illness and injury.

Her website said the money will be donated to charitable organizations that encourage proper nutrition and/provide opportunity for physical activity in our communities.