‘Pedal for Kids’ marks 35 years raising funds for Montreal Children’s Hospital

It’s a curious sight to see in downtown Montreal every June — a “mighty-bike” being pedaled around downtown by 30 volunteers playing music and singing.

It’s the 35th edition of the “Pedal for Kids” fundraiser that has been rolling around in the sunshine.

Taking turns pedaling the mega-bike, hundreds of volunteers are raising money for the Montreal Children’s Hospital. Funds raised go to support innovative programs and research projects.

The “spokes-kid” for this year’s event is 10-year-old Zackary Lessard, who was born with cerebral palsy and had a hard time keeping up with his two brothers. Lessard had spinal surgery at the hospital two years ago and his mom, Virginie Blouin, says the procedure changed his life.

“When they told us about his cerebral palsy, we didn’t know what the future was going to be … and now everything’s different. Yeah. It’s like a new life for him. It’s perfect!” she said.

Not only did Lessard’s walking improve, he’s also riding his BMX bike just like any other 10-year-old might do. His dad, Maxyme Lessard, says, “Right now, he’s got a lot of energy.”

It’s a good thing because this event takes a lot of it.

“This is the oldest event and it’s really one of the most exciting. Beginning of the summer, great fundraising,” said the president of the Montreal Children’s Hospital Foundation, Renee Vezina.

Michael Conway founded the event in 1992 after his daughter, Meagan, needed urgent care at the hospital.

“Over the 35 years, we figure we’ve had about 25,000 riders and they’ve pedaled more than 3,000 kilometres,” he said.