Steve McNeil intends to perform a non-stop marathon skate of 19 hours and 26 minutes on the outdoor rink at Kingston’s Springer Market Square this Saturday to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society of KFLA.
McNeil has skated for completed the test of endurance in 18 cities across Canada as a tribute to his mother, who died of Alzheimer’s, and to all those family members and friends caring for loved ones with Alzheimer’s. His mother Eunice was born in 1926.
This is the 10 year he has been skating the marathons, however because of COVID, rather than travel across the country, McNeil will skate in 10 Ontario regions and towns, and he’ll be in Kingston’s Springer Market Square this Saturday. He will step on the ice at 12:01 a.m. and skate until 7:26 p.m. He skates alone overnight when the rink is closed to the public but is very happy to chat and interact with other skaters when the rink is open.
McNeil, 60, is an Etobicoke mailman and a recreational hockey referee. He has skated in pouring rain, a blizzard and in 2019 it was cold: Montreal -29C, Calgary -33C and Edmonton -40C. He says, however, his marathon skates are nothing compared to the time and effort caregivers devote to family members with the Alzheimer’s.
He asks people to donate $19.26 to the Alzheimer Society in their region. In 2021, McNeil introduced Dec. 15 as 1926 National Skate Day for Alzheimer’s when he kicked off this years series of skates at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto.
While in Kingston, McNeil had planned to attend the Fronts game on Jan. 14, however, plans changed when more restrictions were put in place and spectators are not allowed for the next few games. However, while he can’t be present at the
game, he has issued the #1926Challenge for hockey teams throughout the region, from minor league teams to the highest level, to skate for 19 minutes and 26 seconds to ACDC music at their practice, post it on his website, donate $19.26 to
their local Alzheimer Society and challenge other pro and minor league teams to do the same.
Thankfully, McNeil’s skate can still go on under the tighter health regulations since it is an outdoor activity. The Society had planned to invite groups down to skate with him, however, skaters are limited to 25 on the ice at any one time, so anyone
who wishes to skate with him, must plan to do so on a first come, first served basis within the required numbers allowed on the ice.
McNeil will be treated to his favourite meal, a steak dinner thanks to the Keg, at the completion of his skate and the Delta Waterfront will put him up during his stay in Kingston. Tim Horton’s is also on board as a sponsor.
Vicki Poffley, Executive Director of the local Alzheimer Society is thrilled that McNeil’s skate will bring awareness to Alzheimer’s and dementia, especially during what has been a particularly tough time for people who are diagnosed with
dementia and their caregivers. Typically, by nature of the disease, a diagnosis of dementia results in a dwindling social circle, so to have that circle made even smaller throughout the pandemic has made it a much more difficult time for
caregivers especially, who can’t get the respite they need, as they might have before COVID. The Services of the Alzheimer Society have never been more needed than they during these challenges times.
McNeil’s website is www.1926Skate.com. Donations may be made to the site, or to the Alzheimer Society of Kings on, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington website www.alzheimers.ca/kfla for the Kingston skate, and all donations will remain in the local community.For more information about the 1926Skate or the Alzheimer Society and its programs and services, call the Society at 613-544-3078.