Arvid Loewen, 59, sets out to break his own Guinness World Record in an effort to help children in Kenya

With nine tiny grandsons cheering him on, 59-year-old Arvid Loewen is working to break a Guinness World Record — his own.

In 2011, Loewen set the record for the fastest bicycle ride across Canada. He covered 6,040 kilometres in 13 days, six hours and 13 minutes. But, Loewen said, making time is not what counts now.

"The record or riding across Canada really isn't important at all," he said while pedaling close to Whiteshell, Man.

The real goal, Loewen said, is to raise money and awareness about Mully Children's Family (MCF), a street children's rescue mission in Kenya, Africa.

In 2005, Loewen brought three teenagers from Kenya to Canada through MCF. One by one, they took turns riding on the back of his modified tandem bicycle as he pedaled across the country.

"[After that], I no longer see a picture of a destitute child," he said, referring to pictures of African children in need he's received from MCF. 

"I see the real child."

His desire to help children only grew, he said, with the birth of his nine grandsons, who are between the ages two and six.

"Sometimes I sit back and I imagine what would it be like if their life was on the streets? How thankful would I be for … somebody like me who's willing to do something about it?"

Those thoughts encouraged him to leave his career behind and commit to full-time volunteer work with Mully Children's Family. To date, he's raised $4 million for a home where 2,500 children now live — none of which are up for adoption.

"[They are equipped] with life skills. Once they've reached the age of … being independent and capable, then they go out and spread the message of hope that has been modelled through them," he said.

"So, riding across the country is simply a tool, simply a platform, but it doesn't really mean very much to me."