24-year-old Graeme Loader was riding his bike across Canada to raise money for charity when he was hit by an SUV near Brandon Monday. (Graeme Loader) A Toronto cyclist who was struck and killed by a vehicle outside of Brandon last night was biking across Canada for charity.

Friends of the victim told CBC the 24-year-old who died was Graeme Loader.

Loader, a photographer riding across Canada to raise money for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), was hit by an SUV around 8 p.m. Monday, two kilometres west of Brandon on Highway 1A.

"Graeme was a super passionate guy,” said Josh Bissell, a friend of Loader’s. “He had a passion for the earth and for documenting it and for enjoying it as much as he could.

"This combined both so he could take shots as he was going along as well as to raise money for the WWF."

According to RCMP, the SUV and man on the bike were both travelling east when the crash happened. The man was rushed to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The 28-year-old woman driving the SUV, as well as her three passengers — all from Sioux Valley First Nation — were not injured.

It is unclear at this time if the cyclist was wearing a helmet, RCMP said.

Alcohol is not considered a factor in the collision.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is available.

Bissell asks people to support the World Wildlife Fund to honour Loader.