Mary McNeill

I am riding 100 km for Beckett. Please sponsor me and support my challenge to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

Donate Now

I've Ridden 200.1 km to fight kids' cancer

My Rankings

National: 228th
Province: 133rd in ON

I've raised $4,139 to fight kids' cancer Donate Now

I'm Riding For

Beckett

Beckett is my friend's grandson. Early last year he was diagnosed with leukemia and is receiving treatment at Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario. I think of his three-year treatment journey as I journey through my 100 km ride challenge.

My Story

6 Jul 2026

This is year #8 of my participation in the Great Cycle Challenge — raising funds to fight kids' cancers.

Funds raised will support SickKids Foundation in its life-saving research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure of children's cancers.

During the month of August my goal is to cycle 100 km and raise $1500.

Why am I doing this? Because each year over 1700 families in Canada receive the news that their child has cancer and they begin the rollercoaster ride of treatment that affects the whole family.

I’m thrilled and grateful for the support from friends, family, and colleagues over the past seven years. Your generous donations have raised over $14,000!

I’ve challenged myself to ride 100 km during the month of August, and to raise $1500 in donations. As I ride I think of the kids who are fighting cancer, especially my friend’s grandson, four-year-old Beckett. Their challenges are so much tougher than mine! I’m glad to support this cause—because kids should be enjoying life, not fighting for it!

I would feel honoured to have your support. Check out my Great Cycle Challenge webpage https://greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/MaryMcNeill where you can follow my progress.

My Legacy

Here's my personal impact over 8 years to fight kids' cancer and save little lives.

211 km Ridden

$816 Raised

2019
312 km Ridden

$1,900 Raised

2020
252 km Ridden

$1,416 Raised

2021
251 km Ridden

$1,955 Raised

2022
302 km Ridden

$2,809 Raised

2023
151 km Ridden

$2,627 Raised

2024
48 km Ridden

$3,329 Raised

2025
200 km Ridden

$4,139 Raised

2026

1,726 km

Ridden

$18,992

Raised

My Challenge

Finishing up

30 Aug 2026

It's been a fun few days. The weather's been good and I've been able to fit in some short rides on the mountain bike. After yesterday's ride I needed only 8 km to go to get to 200 km--and I did it! I didn't work too hard at it and I did take a break in a shady cool spot.

I am thrilled at the extent of support for the fundraising aspect of my challenge. I have received over $4000 in donations to help in the fight against childhood cancers.

Thanks to all of my friends, family, and colleagues for your donations, encouragement, and supportive messages.

Posted 14 days ago
8.4 km ride - Made it to 200! - Saturday, August 29, 2026

Logged this ride 14 days ago
9.2 km ride - getting close to 200! - Friday, August 28, 2026

Logged this ride 15 days ago
change of plans today

27 Aug 2026

Well, today didn't go as planned. I hoped to add another 12 km to bring my total up to 189. Then one final ride (weather permitting) to finish off the month with 200 km--twice my original goal.

Instead, my "distance" bike wanted some time off and decided to have a flat tire. :(

Well, the elderly mountain bike hasn't seen much use this month, so it got called into service and carried me happily through another 6.5 km.

Now I don't know if I'll make that 200 total but at least I'll be close.

While I was riding I thought again of all the ups and downs that families go through when a child has cancer. Knowing that what I do can help is what motivates me to keep going.

Posted 17 days ago
6.5 km ride - Mountain bike ride - Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Logged this ride 18 days ago
August 24 trail ride

24 Aug 2026

After achieving my cycling goal last week I took some time off to catch up on errands. I still managed another 21 km though! Another few rides before the end of August and I should reach 200 km -- twice my original goal!

It's starting to feel like the end of summer. After weeks of trying to avoid the hot weather I was glad I'd worn a jacket this morning.

As I rode today I thought about GCC Ambassador Chloe. In 2025 the small pimple-like bump in her mouth was diagnosed as cancer. Over the last year this resilient girl has undergone chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery. She is cheering on the GCC riders in our riding and fundraising challenges.

Posted 19 days ago
9.8 km ride - trail ride - Monday, August 24, 2026

Logged this ride 19 days ago
2.1 km ride - errands in town - Friday, August 21, 2026

Logged this ride 22 days ago
9.5 km ride - Thursday ride - Thursday, August 20, 2026

Logged this ride 23 days ago
A landmark day!

18 Aug 2026

Yesterday I achieved my ride goal! I had a delightful 18 km ride along my favourite trail which was shaded and quiet in the late morning. I stopped at a small beach for a short break. Just a lovely morning, and i felt happy in the thought that I was fulfilling goals for an important cause.

And thanks to all my wonderful supporters my donation total is nearing $4000.

Posted 26 days ago

My Sponsors

Kick Cancer's Butt Day matched donation

“Here's your matched donation made possible by the generosity of long-time SickKids Foundation supporters, the Garron family. THANK YOU so much for your awesome efforts to kick cancer's butt!”
$671.19
Received this donation 31 days ago

Mary

“And thanks to the Garron family for their support of GCC riders!”

And thanks to the Garron family for their support of GCC riders!
Anonymous
$517.50
Received this donation 32 days ago

Mary

“Thank you for continuing to support my cycling and fundraising efforts.”

Thank you for continuing to support my cycling and fundraising efforts.
Jan Harman

“You go Mary!”
$258.75
Received this donation 56 days ago

Mary

“Thank you, Jan, for your continued support and encouragement.”

Thank you, Jan, for your continued support and encouragement.
Judy Snider
$250
Received this donation 15 days ago

Mary

“Thank you for your continued support and words of encouragement!”

Thank you for your continued support and words of encouragement!
Pat Weir

“So proud of you - our family truly understands how a child with cancer needs more people like you on their side. Thank you, thank you.”
$207
Received this donation 65 days ago

Mary

“Thank you, Pat, for your continued support. Your experience helps keep me motivated.”

Thank you, Pat, for your continued support. Your experience helps keep me motivated.
Shay Pitcher

“8 years and going strong! You are amazing Mary for continuing to help save little lives for so many years. You continue to be an inspiration to me. Keep on riding!”
$152.15
Received this donation 32 days ago

Mary

“Thanks, Shay! That inspiration thing works both ways. And I love that your donation amount was my ride goal. :)”

Thanks, Shay! That inspiration thing works both ways. And I love that your donation amount was my ride goal. :)
Bernard Boudreau
$103.50
Received this donation 32 days ago

Mary

“Thanks for supporting my cycling and fundraising efforts, Bernie. It is much appreciated.”

Thanks for supporting my cycling and fundraising efforts, Bernie. It is much appreciated.
Charlotte Leitch

“Way to go Mary.....you are an inspiration to us all ! Charlotte”
$103.50
Received this donation 44 days ago

Mary

“Thank you for all the support you give me--in so many ways.”

Thank you for all the support you give me--in so many ways.
Anonymous

“Thank you for supporting this wonderful charity. I’m very happy to contribute and help Beckett and others. You go!”
$103.50
Received this donation 66 days ago

Mary

“Thank you for sponsoring my challenge. I greatly appreciate it!”

Thank you for sponsoring my challenge. I greatly appreciate it!
Mary Bennett

“You can do it Mary!”
$103.50
Received this donation 66 days ago

Mary

“Thank you Mary! I appreciate your continued support.”

Thank you Mary! I appreciate your continued support.
Valerie Jorgensen

“You are an inspiration. I plan to get my own bike!”
$103.50
Received this donation 37 days ago

Mary

“Wow!! Thank you for supporting my efforts in so many ways!”

Wow!! Thank you for supporting my efforts in so many ways!
Lori Fielding

“Keep on keeping on Mary! :)”
$100
Received this donation 31 days ago

Mary

“Thanks for sponsoring my rides, and for your interest and supportive comments.”

Thanks for sponsoring my rides, and for your interest and supportive comments.
Anonymous
$100
Received this donation 25 days ago

Mary
Ritchie Lawrence

“You go girl!”
$100
Received this donation 62 days ago

Mary

“Thank you, Ritchie, for your support of my efforts. It is much appreciated.”

Thank you, Ritchie, for your support of my efforts. It is much appreciated.
Wendy McKay
$100
Received this donation 44 days ago

Mary

“I truly appreciate your continued support. Thanks again!”

I truly appreciate your continued support. Thanks again!
Beth Boudreau

“Thanks, Mary, for riding again to support this great cause.”
$51.75
Received this donation 50 days ago

Mary

“Thank you, Beth, for supporting me in so many ways year after year.”

Thank you, Beth, for supporting me in so many ways year after year.
Chris Hooper
$51.75
Received this donation 61 days ago

Mary

“Thanks for your support, Chris! It's greatly appreciated.”

Thanks for your support, Chris! It's greatly appreciated.
Debbie

“You're doing a wonderful thing, Mary, riding for Beckett and raising money to fight children's cancer. Keep on pedaling! 🚴‍♀️”
$51.75
Received this donation 39 days ago

Mary

“Thank you, Debbie, for continuing to support my efforts to fight kids' cancer.”

Thank you, Debbie, for continuing to support my efforts to fight kids' cancer.
Heather Patterson
$51.75
Received this donation 30 days ago

Mary

“Thank you, Heather, for all you do to support my riding and fundraising for this cause.”

Thank you, Heather, for all you do to support my riding and fundraising for this cause.
Michael Hiscocks
$51.75
Received this donation 12 days ago

Mary

“Thank you for your interest and support!”

Thank you for your interest and support!