Post Messenger Recorder -

The second annual Richard Garner Memorial Ride kicked off in Madison on Saturday morning. The ride is a fundraiser in honor of Madison firefighter Richard Garner, who passed away in April 2018 when he collapsed after finishing a shift.

The over 100-mile memorial ride started in Madison and passed through a number of towns including Edgerton, Evansville, Monticello, Blanchardville and New Glarus before ending Verona.

New Glarus Fire Department assisted the ride with traffic when it came through.

The ride raises money for the Richard Garner Scholarship Fund, which helps pay for school for people who want to go into the fire and EMS fields. Saturday's ride also raised money for Madison firefighter Todd Mahoney's family. Mahoney passed away earlier in June while participating in the swimming portion of the half-Ironman triathlon.

Firefighters at Saturday's ride said there will always be sadness surrounding Garner's death, but the ride will help keep his memory alive.