Bob and Wendy Fleury rode down from Kalamazoo to participate in Sunday’s Niles Burn Run, an annual escorted motorcycle ride that raises money for young burn victims.

They had one of the 525 bikes registered to participate in the ride, which begins in Niles and travels some 50 miles through Southwest Michigan.

Bob said they have been coming since the early 2000s.

When asked why they keep coming back, the Fleurys gave an answer that most of the other riders would give.

“It’s for the kids,” Bob said. “If you have ever been there, you would understand.”

The “there” Bob was referring to is the Great Lakes Burn Camp, a place in Jackson where young burn victims can go to have fun and forget their physical and mental scars.

Many of the riders in Sunday’s rumbling caravan also help escort the parade that leads the kids to the burn camp. The kids ride on fire trucks while the motorcyclists follow behind, watching the kids have a blast.

Vicky Jozwicki, of the Christian Motorcyclists Association, has joined the Burn Camp parade too.

“The looks on the kids’ faces makes it all worth it,” she said.

Her husband, Mark, echoed her sentiment.

“It is awesome to be able to be blessed to have the money to give and to make such a difference,” he said.

Not counting Sunday’s ride, the Niles Burn Run has raised approximately $115,000 for the Great Lakes Burn Camp. At an average cost of $600 per child to attend the camp, that is more than 191 kids that have been able to go.

Last year the event raised $23,000.

Organizers will not announce how much was collected this year until after it is donated, later this summer.