Great Cycle Challenge Saskatoon

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Why Support SickKids Fundraising Events

Why Support SickKids Fundraising Events

Every year, communities across Canada come together to support a cause that touches thousands of families: the fight against childhood illness. SickKids Foundation plays a critical role in advancing pediatric healthcare, and fundraising events like Circle the Swale help fuel that mission.

But why should you get involved?

1. You’re Helping Save and Improve Children’s Lives

At its core, supporting SickKids fundraising events is about giving children a better chance at life.

Funds raised contribute to:

  • Life-saving research
  • Advanced medical equipment
  • Specialized care for children facing serious illnesses

For many families, SickKids represents hope during their most difficult moments. Every donation, ride, or volunteer hour helps ensure that children receive the best care possible when they need it most.

2. Research Truly Makes a Difference

Childhood illnesses, including cancer, rare diseases, and complex conditions, require ongoing research and innovation.

Fundraising events directly support:

  • Breakthrough treatments
  • Improved survival rates
  • Less invasive procedures
  • Better long-term outcomes for children

What might seem like a small contribution can help fund the next major medical breakthrough.

3. You Support Families in Crisis

When a child becomes seriously ill, it impacts the entire family—emotionally, physically, and financially.

SickKids funding helps provide:

  • Support services for families
  • Access to specialized care
  • Resources that ease the burden during treatment

By supporting fundraising events, you are not just helping patients—you’re supporting entire families through incredibly challenging times.

4. You Strengthen Your Local Community

Events like Circle the Swale bring people together in a powerful way.

Participants include:

  • Families
  • Cyclists of all skill levels
  • Local businesses and sponsors
  • Volunteers and supporters

These events:

  • Build stronger community connections
  • Raise awareness for important causes
  • Encourage collective action

It’s an opportunity to do something meaningful together.

5. You Can Make an Impact in a Way That Fits You

One of the best things about fundraising events is that there are many ways to participate:

  • Ride or participate in the event
  • Donate directly
  • Volunteer your time
  • Become a sponsor
  • Spread awareness through social media

Whether you ride 10 km or simply share the cause with others, every action contributes to a larger impact.

6. It’s a Positive, Empowering Experience

Supporting a cause like SickKids is not only impactful—it’s also deeply rewarding.

Participants often walk away with:

  • A sense of purpose
  • Personal achievement
  • Inspiration from others’ stories
  • A stronger connection to their community

You’re not just taking part in an event—you’re becoming part of something bigger.

7. Every Effort Counts

One of the most important things to remember is this:

👉 You do not need to do something large to make a difference.

Small actions add up:

  • A single donation can help fund care
  • A short ride contributes to the collective goal
  • A shared post can reach someone new

Together, these efforts create meaningful change.

Join Us and Be Part of the Change

Events like Circle the Swale are more than just rides—they are a chance to stand behind children and families who need support the most.

Whether you participate, donate, volunteer, or simply help spread the word, your contribution matters.

Let’s ride, give, and support together—because every child deserves the chance to live a full, healthy life.

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Why We Ride

Why We Ride

Each of us has a story of struggles with Cancer. And if we could get rid of it, we would be glad. Watch the video below.

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Great Cycle Challenge Saskatoon​

Great Cycle Challenge Saskatoon​

The event began as a community-driven initiative to raise awareness and funds for pediatric health issues. It has since grown into a widely recognized and anticipated event among local and national cycling communities.

When is the ride: August 29, 2026

What is it: A group ride forming part of the Great Cycle Challenge, a month-long riding event to help in the battle against childhood cancer. Official participants of GCCC have all pledged mileage and fundraising goals to support the charity. This is specifically a one-day ride as part of the larger month which allows riders, regardless of GCCC participation, to ride together while creating a publicity prominent event in honour of GCCC.

Who is welcome: ALL riders are welcome to join the ride. This is a noncompetitive event.

Where is the ride: This is a partially closed course, with the east-most lane of Central Ave closed to traffic. The remainder of the course is along public, designated bike paths which will be open during the event.

What are the expectations: all riders MUST wear helmets. All riders must sign on officially at the marshalling table, and preregistration is encouraged to assist with planning. Riders are free to join at any time during the official hours, for as many kilometres as they wish to ride, and as fast as they are comfortable. This is a public, non-competitive community riding event.

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Join our Circle the Swale event

Sponsorship Invitation

Each August, the Great Cycling Challenge Canada (GCCC) unites riders across the country to raise funds for the SickKids Foundation in support of childhood cancer research. Since 2016, the challenge has raised more than $54 million, with 2025 seeing another $6.5 million in fundraising. Here in Saskatoon, our local riders are making a growing impact, as we are seeing more riders and more donations each year.

On August 29th, our team will host our fourth group ride event in support of GCCC. This is an opportunity for the GCCC community to come together, encourage and support one another. Many GCCC participants ride solo or only in small groups, so it is exciting to be part of something larger. Another goal of the Circle the Swale ride is to provide a public event for the broader cycling community. Because of our semi-closed course and support team, we are able to offer riders of all skill levels the chance to ride together in a community-focused, non-race environment.

For the Circle the Swale 2026 ride, we are seeking businesses that wish to partner with us in putting on a memorable community event. There are several ways for businesses to partner with us, and our commitment is to promote these businesses in fair and appropriate ways for their support of Circle the Swale and Great Cycling Challenge. Sponsorship opportunities include, but are not limited to:

  • Application costs for road closure. The cost is nominal, and the City of Saskatoon has been extremely helpful in the past years.
  • Liability insurance
  • Safety gear
  • Canopy-style tent for the marshalling area
  • Refreshments for distribution at the marshalling area
  • Promotional banners
  • Promotional rider bags
  • Cycling-appropriate food items for rider bags
  • Discount cards and coupons for rider bags
  • Clothes items or other promotional items for rider bags,
  • Giveaways and prizes for participants
  • Supplies for celebration BBQ, including food items and the loan of necessary equipment
  • Direct donations to Great Cycling Challenge Canada

With the above support items, there are significant promotional opportunities, with corporate logos on relevant items, as well as public recognition for businesses that partner with us. We are eager to discuss partnership opportunities.

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