Students, staff, and family at Maple Ridge Christian School spent the day walking on Friday, May 29, all for a good cause.
Around 347 students from kindergarten to Grade 12, in addition to 70 staff and 45 parent volunteers, took part in a walk-a-thon to raise money for the building of a third floor on the school, with a portion of the fund raised also going towards pediatric programs at Ridge Meadows Hospital.
They also had support from the Maple Ridge RCMP and multiple local churches.
There were two routes for the students, a five kilometre route for students in Grades 1-12, and a two kilometre route for the kindergarten students.
Ainah Cheung, marketing and communications coordinator with the school, said the walk-a-thon not only raised money for the school, but also promoted healthy activity, school spirit, and gave back to the community.
The goal was to raise $65,000, with $1 of every $10 raised going to the hospital.
Students were even raising money weeks before the walk-a-thon to kick-start the blueprint phase – the first of four phases towards the completion of the third floor.
Cianna and Serenity sold Freezies at Maple Ridge Park, Heidi sold hand-crafted beaded bracelets, and Aaron and Callie helped their neighbours with backyard weed removal.
“Still one more week to go, but we have $52,000 raised so far,” said Cheung.
A cheque will be presented to the Ridge Meadows Hospital Foundation on Tuesday, June 9.
Event coordinator Emily Crase was pleased with the result of the walk and said students were very enthused about raising money for Ridge Meadows Hospital.
“We wanted to choose a charity that would get our students excited about supporting the well being of other children,” Crase explained.
“We are accepting donations until June 7th, and we’d invite your readers to donate if they would like to be part of a great cause in their local community,” she added.
Anyone wanting to donate can do so at: https://mrcs-walkathon2026.raiselysite.com/.
Maple Ridge Christian School will be celebrating 70 years in Maple Ridge in 2027.