CALGARY
Calgary

    • John G. Diefenbaker High School students raise more than $26,000 pedalling for a purpose

    Share

    John G. Diefenbaker High School kicked off its Ride of the Chiefs (ROTC) charity event on Friday, with students raising more than $26,000 for the Alberta Children's Hospital.

    The event has students in Grades 10 to 12 ride stationary bikes for 12 hours in different groups, with participants dressing up in costumes and decorating their stations.

    The event also featured local artists, a DJ and food trucks.

    "It's about giving back to the community and helping those in need, making health care more accessible for the children in the Alberta Children's Hospital,” said ROTC organizer Sanika Jain.

    Every year, the money is distributed to a different section of the hospital, with this year's ROTC benefitting the oncology department.

    "I think it's great, giving us this event to come together and have the entire student body participate in one day to be able to give back to our local community but at the same time, providing an opportunity to have a fun day," said Samir Sharma, co-president of the school's student council.

    For John G. Diefenbaker students, it's also a break from Friday classes and a chance to come together.

    "It's so much fun. Look around -- the whole school is here and we love it," said Grade 12 student Mandy Ma.

    Alexander Luong is in Grade 10 and his group, Dief's Chiefs, raised $700.

    "The fun of the event is everyone gets to ride their bike, have fun talking with their friends," Luong said.

    "It's so nice to give back to our community."

    Since it began nine years ago, the ROTC has raised more than $170,000, with funds from 2024 helping top $195,000. The school will host a few more charity events next week to help it reach its goal of $30,000.

    Special ride for one teacher

    Participating in this year's ROTC is physical education teacher Clayton Masikewich, who is biking for his six-year-old niece Sloane.

    The youngster was diagnosed with Stage 4 neuroblastoma last spring.

    "This year especially is pretty cool for me. To be able to have all the money go to a cause that's really near and dear to me, it means a lot," Masikewich said.

    Sloane and her family had to spend a month in Florida for her radiation treatment.

    Masikewich says funds raised from the ROTC will go toward opening a new centre for immunotherapy "which they are trying to have built in Calgary," lessening the burden on families like Sloane's.

    CTVNews.ca Top Stories

    MPs targeted by Chinese hackers question why Canada didn't tell them

    Members of Parliament are questioning why Canadian security officials did not inform them that they had been the target of Beijing-linked hackers, after learning from the FBI that the international parliamentary alliance they are a part of was in the crosshairs of the Chinese cyberattack in 2021.

    WATCH

    WATCH So you haven't filed your taxes yet…

    The clock is ticking ahead of the deadline to file a 2023 income tax return. A personal finance expert explains why you should get them done -- even if you owe more than you can pay.

    Shopping Trends

    The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.

    Edmonton

    Lethbridge

    Vancouver

    Vancouver Island

    Saskatoon

    Regina

    Toronto

    Montreal

    Atlantic

    Winnipeg

    Ottawa

    Northern Ontario

    Barrie

    Kitchener

    London

    Windsor

    Stay Connected
    Follow CTV News