Celebration plans are advancing for the 20th year of the Cutter Rally For Cancer and the trail is being named to honour a stalwart volunteer.
Ron C. McDonald a longtime contributor, will have the trail renamed in his honour, by fellow organizers.
“Ron has looked after the trail since we started the Cutter Rally 20 years ago. We are proud to say we are naming the trail the Ron C. McDonald Trail,” says Mike Sidoryk, co-chair of the Cutter Rally for Cancer. Sidoryk emphasized the important maintenance job that Ron leads to keep the rally safe for sleigh and horse riders.
The charity has raised over $120,000 in its 20 years and most of that money has gone to the cancer-care chemotherapy ward via the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation.
The outdoor event this year is slated for Feb. 24 and the early bird draw took place on Wednesday, Feb. 14 with a $500 payout from some 100 tickets sold going to someone from Provost. There are three trails ranging from four to eight miles.
“Depending on how the weather is determines how far the people go down their trails,” says Sidoryk.
The trails will open at the Lloyd Ex grounds from 11:00 am and go until 4:30 p.m. The day will wrap up with an awards banquet from 5:00 p.m. where the overall winner will be announced.
“We have some fundraising as well. We have got some 50-50s, silent auctions.” People can participate by being a teamster with the horses and sleighs, they can go on horseback, they can catch a ride with a friend on the trail or they can be a ghost-hand buyer, where they buy the ticket and organizers will roll on their behalf, added Sidoryk.
Also benefiting from funds raised is the Haying in the 30s group in Mallaig which also supports travel costs for cancer clients who travel to the city for treatment.
Organizers are also grateful for the numerous corporate sponsors that have allowed them to offer a nurses’ bursary of $500-1000, says Sidoryk, adding they will continue purchasing equipment for the cancer ward.
More information can be found on the Cutter Rally For Cancer website and Facebook pages.
