A special event that had to take two years off due to COVID-19 has returned with a bang.
The 26th annual Trojans Parade for Cancer event took place at West Ferris Secondary School and moved over to the waterfront for an afternoon of games, drink, food and entertainment.
However, the high point of the event was the cheque presentation as organizers unveiled a cheque for an unprecedented $56,000 gathered by students and sponsors throughout the community.
Matt Payne is a cancer survivor and the CEO of North Bay Hydro. He donated $1,000 to the cause.
"You should be so proud because you are making a difference and you are saving lives," Payne told the crowd.
See related: Trojan Parade for Cancer returns
Mark Robertson, a West Ferris teacher and the smooth-talking MC for the event. He says he could feel the enthusiasm from the students before they left the school for their march to the waterfront.
"This morning our auditorium was absolutely jammed with students prior to walking down here and the greatest amount of participation that we have ever had," he said.
"The cheque presentation blew some minds and I think that is a direct result of student involvement. I think the community involvement is great as well as people are excited to get back to normal, do something fun that is also awesome for the community."
The funds raised will also stay local and will go into the Cancer Care Fund at the North Bay Regional Health Centre.
Tammy Morison, president of the North Bay Regional Health Centre Foundation, never dreamt this event would be this successful.
"A few weeks ago when we were at the gym and at the assembly the energy was incredible so I knew that was going to translate into something really special today but I just did not know what it would look like. I am just so proud of every single one of these teens who left their comfort zone and went to their neighbours and their families, and friends asking for donations," said Morison.
"All those small, medium and large donations came through and came together to have this huge impact. We are so incredibly grateful and it will be so incredibly impactful.
"The school spirit is just palpable and I think we are all just tired of zoom. I just get goosebumps seeing everybody coming together. It is pretty awesome."
