Nick Paleczny misses his best friend.
Paleczny went to school from kindergarten to high school with Nate Sinclair.
However, on April 15, 2024, unexpectedly, Nate Sinclair, who had just celebrated his 18th birthday, took his own life.
"He was just one of my closest friends, and he was a very special person," said Paleczny.
"He was so kind, caring and competitive when it came to sports and he is the type of person that no one would have every expected would take their own life which is really an important point to touch on because it shows how we need to reach out to everyone and really take care of those people in our lives and check in on each other."
It's been a difficult time for the Sinclair family and Nate's friendship group. However, Nate's father, Rod Sinclair, tried to make a positive out of the tragedy by getting involved in the Canadian Mental Health Association's Pushup Challenge.
The task was to complete 2,000 push-ups in 18 days (Feb 11 to 28) in February to raise awareness and funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association.
All proceeds help the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) to support mental illness recovery and foster positive mental health in Canada.
Malinda Hirvilammi, Health Promotions Coordinator CMHA, North Bay and District, says the local support for the event has been amazing.
"I knew this year would be impactful as the 2000 pushups were dedicated to the 2000 lives lost to suicide worldwide and that is how Rod and I got connected," said Hirvilammi.
"He had reached out to me to talk more about this challenge and then we just engaged in other conversations around youth mental health and suicide prevention in the community and discussing gaps and things of that nature."
See related: Nate Sinclair's tragic story gives a face to teen suicide
Their fundraising success for the cause was recognized during Sunday's North Bay Battalion game where Nate's high school hockey team, the Chippewa Ravens, handed over Nate's Chippewa hockey jersey to Rod and wife Laura. The team wore a #24 patch on their jersey this season in honour of Nate's passing.
"As of Monday, CMHA North Bay and District has 330 participants in The Push-Up Challenge who have raised a total of $57, 441," said Hirvilammi.
"The Nate Sinclair Family and Friends is not only the Top Community locally, but also number 1 Top Community nationwide for most funds raised."
Paleczny believes Nate's number on his jersey this year helped create a special bond with his friends and they were thrilled to be able to present the #24 jersey to his family at the OHL game.
"It reminds us without Nate in our lives there is a big hole and I believe all of us are really missing him and it is a good way to look back at the good times we had together and that he is still playing with us," said Paleczny.
Anyone interested can sill donate to the Sinclair's team Pushup Challenge until March 21.