Heroic cyclists pedal giant bicycle built for 30 around the metropolis raising $500,000 so sick children can return to their healthy, energetic and even bratty selves.

Move over Superman and Batman because 5-year-old Alessandro is the biggest superhero of them all! At age two, he took a shocking blow to the head after tumbling from a couch. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and required emergency surgery at The Children's to ease pressure on his brain. Fast forward (faster than a speeding bullet) a few days and the little superhero ultimately recovered, having undergone two brain surgeries for his serious injury. Now at age five, he loves playing soccer, baseball and, of course, riding his bike.  

Alessandro’s journey inspired 29 teams of spirited cyclists who participated in this year's Pedal for Kids event, raising $500,000 for The Children’s. Despite the challenge of maneuvering a 30-seat bicycle through Montreal's bustling downtown and dodging diabolical orange cones, these teams demonstrated exceptional teamwork and determination. You could hear the laughter throughout the city core.

Becoming unstoppable forces for good 

It takes superhuman strength to pedal the Mighty Bike, so on behalf of The Children’s young patients and families, we offer an incredible hulk size thank you to the Pedal For Kids teams and cyclists: Alessandro’s Ride, Banque Scotia, CN, Colliers, Dazzm, Deloitte, Équipe NICU, Filo Import, GHGsat, Groupe Financier BMO, Groupe Mach, Jarislowsky Fraser, Life Savers, Morgan Stanley, MTY, Osler, Paysafe, Proreit, RBC, Research in Action, Rio Tinto, TD Wealth, Team Ariana, Team Emma, Tecsys, Theta Sigma Fraternity, Vacances Air Canada, Wellness Warriors.

Morgan Stanley is this year's top fundraiser, with $100,000 in donations and counting. Thanks to their incredible efforts, and those of the rest of the teams, Pedal for Kids was able to reach $500,000 this year.

The funds collected this year will be directed to four priorities at The Children’s:

• New intravenous (IV) pumps - The Children’s required 200 new IV pumps across all care units. The pumps deliver medication and essential nutrients to seriously ill children.
• The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Program / Concussion Clinic – The clinic offers specialized care for around 700 children and teens annually, with about 4,000 clinical visits. The physiotherapists ensure timely interventions, speeding up treatment and reducing return visits to the Emergency Department.
• Child Life Services -Each year, The Children's 12 Child Life Specialists support over 2,000 patients with 12,000 patient visits to help them adapt to their hospital experience. Child Life staff work with healthcare teams to meet each family's needs across all units, from surgery preparation to Pediatric Intensive Care Unit recovery.
• Tiny Tim Fund - The financial pressure on families at The Children’s is rising, with a 58% increase in requests for assistance. The Tiny Tim Fund helps families pay for gas, parking, groceries, food vouchers, meals, medical equipment, medications, and free accommodations at the new Pavillon Kat Demes, a home away from home for parents living out of town. The Pavillon is located five minutes from The Children’s. The Hospital also supports new parents providing them with essentials like diapers, formula, and clothes.

Launched in 1992, Pedal for Kids is The Children's Foundation's longest-running annual fundraiser, raising over $15 million! We are deeply grateful to the Pedal for Kids committee members: Anthony Pepper (Chair), Rudy Azoulay, Michael Conway, Nick Di Nezza, Suzanne Eissa, Eddy Farrace, Nicolas Gagné, Kuljinder Kaur Magee, John Lukca, and Johanne Sabourin.

"Together, we've proven that real-life heroes don't wear capes; they open their hearts and wallets to support The Children’s, ensuring every child regains their strength and resumes being a little bratty from time to time,” said Anthony Pepper, Chair, The Montreal Children’s Hospital Pedal for Kids organizing committee.

"To our incredible cyclists, sponsors, and organizing committee members: your unwavering support for sick children has been nothing short of heroic," said Renée Vézina, President of The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation. “You donned your bike helmets and became true champions for The Children’s. Your donations help restore children to good health. And, if they cause a little mayhem now and again, so be it! Because a bratty child is a healthy child, and we want every child in Quebec to be as healthy as possible.”