First Ski-a-thon raises over $700

Racking them up: Students skied over 250 runs for an active first-time fundraiser. – Photo Submitted

Sun Peaks Secondary Academy students lapped the mountain over 250 times on Friday, Feb. 26. More than just an excuse to ski, it was the first Ski-a-thon and part of an ongoing initiative by the students to contribute to We Day, which encourages students to contribute to local causes.

As their mandate for the event was to help support local youth who wouldn’t ordinarily be able to access sport, they teamed up the Bluebird Day Fund (BDF), a local organization with similar goals.

“The BDF is very pleased and honoured that the faculty and students would consider us for such an event,” said Ben Morris, marketing director for the organization. “We’re also very impressed with the participation and amount of money raised. All fundraising goes directly to helping other youth get a chance to ski, snowboard and progress their skills in their chosen sport. We really appreciate and would like to thank all the students, staff and everyone who donated. Hopefully this may become an annual event!”

Eleven students and two teachers participated, racking up 259 runs on Sundance Mountain in four and half hours. Most skied 17 to 20 runs with one student maxing out at 26 runs.

Through pledges they raised over $700 which was handed over the BDF to assist with their sports programs.

“We picked the Bluebird Day Fund because it’s part of skiing and also local,” said student Korina Lindor. “It was fun and competitive between the students and it was also fun seeing the money add up after all the runs we did.”