Long-time South Etobicoke resident Steve McNeil is taking to the ice again in less than a week for his ninth annual skate to raise funds for the Alzheimer Society in memory of his mom.

McNeil will be hitting the ice on December 15 to skate for 19 hours and 26 minutes at Wayne Gretzky Estates Winery & Distillery, on Niagara on the Lake, to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer’s.

The fundraising effort is called Team 1926Skate and people can join him by clicking on his website www.1926Skate.com, where they can donate.

McNeil, 59, a mailman and recreational hockey referee, started his skate as a tribute to his mother, who died of the disease. She was born on December 15, 1926.

He is known to many in the community since he delivered their mail for years.

He says his 19-plus-hour effort is just one day in his life, but caregivers for people living with dementia spend that much time each day looking after their loved ones.

“COVID-19 has been devastating for seniors and their families,’ McNeil says. “More and more families are going to need the assistance that their local Alzheimer Societies can provide. That’s why this fundraising skate is so important.”

In the past two years McNeil has done his marathon skate 18 times in cities across Canada. The virus  has made it impossible for him to do that again this year. The Toronto marathons in the past have taken place on the ice at Nathan Phillips Square.

He is seeking to make December 15 National 1926 Skate Day for Alzheimer’s.

Alzheimer Societies offer programs and support services for people living with dementia and their care partners. The funds raised through National 1926 Skate Day and Team 1926 Skate will help local Alzheimer Societies continue to provide virtual social and recreational programming to those who need help most.

Donations can be made through local Alzheimer Societies. People are asked to donate online $19.26, or more, to the website, or simply lace up their skates and come out to support National 1926 Skate Day.