Brothers Bike W&OD Trail In Northern VA To Support Hospital Staff

VIENNA, VA — Mark Comey has a week off after working on the front lines of the coronavirus pandemic as a nurse at Arlington's Virginia Hospital Center. But he isn't taking that time off for granted. Instead, he wants to recognize the hospital's unsung heroes by biking the entire Washington and Old Dominion Trail with his twin brother Brian.

On Tuesday, the pair rode the 45-mile W&OD Trail from Shirlington to Purcellville to support their GoFundMe account called "The Caring Cycle." The funds will go to environmental services staff who clean at Mark's unit at Virginia Hospital Center. As of Thursday afternoon, the brothers raised more than double their initial $1,500 goal.

The brothers state on the GoFundMe page many have offered messages of support to Mark for his work. They also believe the environmental service technicians who clean the hospital deserve recognition.

"We can't think of a more important, yet [underappreciated] job in times like these than those who work tirelessly, day and night, to keep the hospitals clean," the page states. "They often work the hardest and most grueling shifts at the Hospital and are paid the least."

The brothers made it to Purcellville and plan to get back on the trail Wednesday. During a break from their ride in Vienna, the brothers posted a video update expressing their surprise and gratitude for the strong support from donors.

"The EVS [environmental services] staff at VHC is gonna be so excited and so surprised," said Mark Comey in the video. "They don't know how much is coming their way."