Toronto hockey referee skates for 19 hours, 26 minutes in Petawawa, Ont.
Steve McNeil stepped onto a small community rink in Petawawa, Ont. Saturday at midnight, and will skate there non-stop until 7:26 p.m.
The marathon skate is part of McNeil's journey of skating across Canada on a mission to raise money and support for Alzheimer's care.
"My mother was battling Alzheimer's for 20 years, she was in a nursing home for 11 years," McNeil tells CTV News Ottawa. "I'm a recreational hockey referee in the city of Toronto, so in the middle of a hockey game I thought, okay it would be pretty cool if I went out and skated for 19 hours and 26 minutes because that's the year my mother was born."
McNeil lost his mother, born in 1926, in 2013 after his first marathon skate. Since then he's skated in every NHL city in Canada, with his stop in Petawawa marking his 29th marathon skate.
"It's gotten easier both mentally, physically, and emotionally," says the 60-year-old from Toronto.
McNeil says of all the cities to visit and skate in, Petawawa has been a stop he's been wanting to make for some time now.
"I'm skating for the Alzheimer's Society in the Ottawa region obviously, but at the same time I'm skating for the Marianhill Foundation because our military families are directed to them."
McNeil asks anyone who can to donate $19.26 to the Alzheimer's Society of Marianhill long-term care home in Pembroke.
"We fundraise for all our capital and equipment," says Linda Tracey, CEO at Marianhill. "So to have this unit, to maintain the building where these beds are located, this fundraising goes towards that and the equipment we use in it."
Gabriel Dalton, 14, turned out Saturday afternoon in Petawawa to show his support for McNeil. Dalton's grandmother lives with Alzheimer's and is currently on a waiting list to get into Marianhill.
"It's pretty sad because she forgets everything she forgets everything pretty much," says Dalton. "And it's hard because she doesn't even remember our names sometimes."
"A caregiver's day pretty much is 19 and a half hours a day," recognizes Tracey. "So really aligning the skate with the work of the individual caregivers is really unique."
McNeil says when he stepped onto the ice at midnight Saturday the temperature was -34 degrees. He layers up to stay warm, but says the key is to stay in motion. McNeil's trick to power through the 19 hours and 26 minutes is a constant stream of AC/DC into his ears.
"I saw them by accident when I was 18-years-old in 1978 in Toronto and I've been a fan ever since," says McNeil, decked out in his AC/DC sweat pants and toque. "Seven years ago when I found out Malcolm was diagnosed with dementia I thought it would be a nice musical tribute that I would listen to only AC/DC when I did these events."
McNeil also skates with a wooden stick named Thunder that he's had for 25 years. The hockey referee says the constant air guitar helps keep the fingers warm too.
"I think it's crazy," says Dalton, watch McNeil enjoy himself out on the ice. "Really good on him for doing that for our community and for Marianhill."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
BREAKING Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
She was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father. Then life dealt her a blow
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Fire engulfs old Edmonton municipal airport hangar
A historical hangar at the former Edmonton municipal airport beside the NAIT main campus was on fire Monday night.
RCMP uncovers plot to sell drones and equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a ploy to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.