Nancy Bezan biked 700 miles in seven days to change the destiny of a child.

Bezan completed a cycling challenge last month, biking 100 miles every day for a week to raise money for the Morden-Winkler chapter of Habitat for Humanity. No stranger to fundraising rides Bezan has cycled from Niagara Falls to Winnipeg for charity, however this ride hit closer to home.

"I've always been able to reach fundraising goals for other groups, so I thought surely I could do it here, especially when everyone would know the funds would stay local," Bezan explains.

She says the idea of helping a child grow up in a good home motivated her the most, knowing a safe home can change the lives of an entire family. Bezan explains she's a fan of the Habitat for Humanity model, which provides affordable home ownership to help families start a new life, but also requires sweat equity from the new owners during the build, as well as reasonable payments to pay back the entire interest-free mortgage.

"Sometimes it's so much for the kids, they see their parents working on the home... it's just great for them to see you working towards something and people all around you, your community, is here to help you."

"That's what Habitat for Humanity does, it's not a handout it's a hand up."

After cycling across the Pembina Valley from July 21 to 27 in what seemed like "some of the longest and shortest days of my life," Bezan beat her fundraising goal of $3,000.

Anyone still wanting to donate can visit www.habitat.mb.ca

One of the first Habitat for Humanity homes will be built in Morden