Continuing Carrie's legacy, bikes donated in her honor
RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - The community is honoring a local woman killed while cycling on Mountain Road, exactly three months since the tragic accident.
Carrie Wortham was known as a passionate and giving person. Her life was cut short after being struck by a car during her bike ride back in September.
The Richmond Area Bicycling Association is honoring her by donating bikes in her name to children in need. The group raised the money, assembled the bikes, and delivered them.
"It is an honor to see where goodness can come out of tragedy. That's what we all seek, life is short. So, if we can prolong that with goodness, it's a wonderful thing," shared Dr. Edwin Wortham, Carrie's father.He stood among the 500 bicycles, some adorning angels with his daughter's name on them. Volunteers worked to load up vehicles to deliver the bikes to area Christmas Mothers.
"I think she's smiling down a bit and maybe thinking come on, I don't need this recognition. Just do the right thing,'" shared Dr. Wortham, adding his daughter was very humble. Organizers hope the kids volunteering on Saturday and those receiving the bikes as presents will carry on Carrie's legacy.
"The community has done so much for us, we wanted to give back to everybody and deliver the bikes to kids who can't afford them," said Benjamin Allanson, a volunteer with his traveling baseball team. While the teammates work to make sure other kids have something to open on Christmas morning, the Wortham family prepares for their first holiday without their daughter Carrie.
"We have all these memories pop up and grief is big...but you have to learn to embrace it and learn from it...your life will never be the same again, at all," said Dr. Wortham.
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