Three Sault Ste. Marie grade 8 students are going the distance this Saturday, Sept. 29 to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society. Friends Dylan Turner, Adrian Sullivan and Braden Kerhanovich, Grade 8 students at Superior Heights, are longboarding approximately 15 km on the John Roswell Hub Trail. A longboard is similar to a skateboard, but is made of different materials. It’s more flexible and is slightly longer, geared more for a mode of transportation. Dylan, 13, came up with the idea this summer when he saw other longboarders traveling through Sault Ste.Marie to raise money and awareness for other causes. Dylan wanted to do something as a tribute to his great grandmothers; great aunt and his cousin who all suffered with cancer.

The teen who had his hair cut last year for ovarian cancer, said he wanted to do more but also wanted to raise awareness among his peers that anyone can help out. He approached the local branch of the Canadian Cancer Society and Longboards for Life was born. As community partners with the society the boys have been collecting pledges and will complete their ride this Saturday. They set a goal of $500.00 which they have currently doubled. They will be giving a cheque to the Cancer Society during a presentation at their school on Oct. 17.

They will begin their ride at the downtown waterfront on Saturday and longboard along the Hub Trail to the northern corridor where they will be greeted by family and friends. The three friends who love skateboarding and longboarding are excited about the chance to combine their two passions – skating and an opportunity to raise money and awareness. “We love longboarding and try to do it everyday”, says Dylan, “and we try to think about the people who have to live with cancer.”

For more information or to pledge Longboards for Life visit: LongboardsforLife cancer.ca/site or www.facebook.com/LongboardsForLife