1926 Skate History

Steve McNeil skates for 19 hours and 26 minutes to raise awareness and funds for Alzheimer's in Canada

This is how it started 

He started his marathon skates in 2012 in Toronto as a tribute to his mother Eunice McNeil who died of Alzheimer's disease, and to all the caregivers.

His mother was born on December 15 1926 thus the name of his skate -1926Skate. McNeil, who is a recreational hockey referee in Toronto, says his 19-hour and 26-minute effort is just one day in his life, but caregivers spend that much time each day looking after their loved ones. 

In the winter of 2018/2019 he skated in the seven Canadian NHL cities. It was -29C in Montreal, -40C in Edmonton and it snowed all night in Calgary. He listens to the music of rock band ACDC when he skates. One of the members of the band, Malcolm Young, died of the disease and when members of the band heard about McNeil’s efforts they donated $19,260 to Alzheimer's music program in Canada.

2020 highlights included:

• Steve skated in 9 provinces (11 cities.) 

• In Montreal three amateur hockey playing brothers Mark Scott & Sean Broady will discovered how difficult the marathon is when they joined him on the ice for 19 hours and 26 minutes in 2020. 

 Simply when Steve skates or on the second Saturday of January each year on National Skate Day for Alzheimer's you can donate $19.26 to the Alzheimer's Society in your own community that way the donations stay in your community.