After an incredible inaugural Ride of the Mustang children’s cancer funder last year, which raised a total of $51,000 for the Oncology Unit of the Alberta Children’s Hospital, the school is doing it again, and its shaping up to be bigger than last year.
The event, which is a 48-hour stationary bike ride, sees teams of eight to 12 students commit to raising $300, choose a team name and theme, and ride in shifts for 48 hours.
In its first year, the school intended to raise about $10,000, but after 48 hours found itself with a total of more than $50,000 for the cause.
Grade 11 organizer Amie Nelson, who participated in the event last year, said the fundraiser has been well received by students and teachers.
Students are required to miss small amounts of class time to participate in the event.
“Teachers have been very supportive,” said Nelson.
“A lot more supportive than I thought they would be. It’s also (understood) that we have to be responsible for our own learning and we have to make sure we do the work that we miss. The students have been very interested and are very excited. When I walk down the halls, I hear people talking about the event.”
Last year, a group of George McDougall students attended a fundraising ride-a-thon in St. Albert, and returned to school to find out one of their own had just been diagnosed with cancer.
“We weren’t expecting very much, but we ended up raising $51,000,” said Nelson.
“We had 39 teams and about 390 students involved. It was amazing to see the support that came from it.”
This year, there will be a total of 65 teams, with around 650 students and teachers involved.
“The gym is going to be packed right tight,” said Nelson. “That is more than half of our student population involved. We want to raise $60,000 this year. I believe it’s very achievable.”
Students will begin the ride on March 28 at noon and ride until March 30 at noon. The event will begin with an opening ceremony.
The second night will see a student DJ for participants in the event. A head shave will be held on March 28, and the big fundraising reveal will be during the closing ceremony at noon on March 30.
Nelson said she involves herself with the event because cancer has impacted her life, and lots of others around her.
“Teenagers are not what people think anymore. We are willing to help this cause that helps so many children,” said Nelson.
“There is a quote that says ‘a person doesn’t get diagnosed with cancer, a family does.’ I want to be someone who can make change for that.”
