The first "Red Rally" in support of Canadian soldiers kicked off Saturday afternoon in Trenton, Ont., as a contingent of motorcycles and cars retraced the journey a fallen soldier takes when repatriated to Canada.

The event started with clouds in the sky and controversy brewing from some military families, but the sun came out and the family members of 13 fallen soldiers joined in the rally.

Some of the original founders of the Red Fridays Campaign raised concerns that some military families did not approve of the event because it was taking donations and that the car leading the rally was donated by a local dealership.

Brian Wilkins, a spokesperson for the Red Fridays Foundation of Canada, told CTV Newsnet he didn't know why anyone would criticize raising money for a charity.

"They supply (services) for our veterans," he said of the rally's chosen charity, the Canadian Hearing Society.

The event was led by a car with the names of the 83 soldiers who died in Afghanistan decorated on it.

Wilkins said that 510 motorcycles and 122 cars, including 83 red ones, took part in the event. They drove from Trenton to Toronto's Downsview Park along the part of Highway 401 recently renamed the "Highway of Heroes."

He said he hadn't heard of any problems, but one woman asked that a soldier's name be taken off the car, on behalf of the fallen soldier's wife.

Wilkins said because the fallen soldier's parents were attending the rally and wanted his name on the car, and the wife did not attend the rally, they decided to keep his name on the car.

As the vehicles drove on their route, local residents stood on overpasses waving flags and signs in support.

Sgt. Richard Paddon and Sgt. Stephen Gardiner, who both recently returned from a tour of duty in Afghanistan, rode in one of the vehicles.

"When we were there, we would see rallies like this ... on the news, and it makes you feel good," Paddon told CTV Toronto.

Wilomena Beerenfenger travelled from Ottawa in honour of her son, Cpl. Robbie Beerenfenger, who died in Afghanistan in 2003.

"I think it's awesome, the support that people come and (show) for the troops," said.

Juanita Bartsh came to Trenton from Whitecourt, Alta., to support all troops, but especially her son Cole who was killed last July.

"I think it's wonderful that this many people want to remember our boys,'' she told the Canadian Press.

"Events like this make people more aware and remember them."

With a report from CTV Toronto's Galit Solomon and files from The Canadian Press