Just under $59,000 was raised locally as people pushed for better mental health with the Push-Up Challenge last month.
The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) North Bay and District says most of that money, over $41,000 was raised by the friends and family of Nate Sinclair, who died by suicide last year.
They became the top fundraising team in Canada, and included classmates and peers from hockey, powerlifting and Nordic skiing.
Nate’s father Rod was fifth on the national individual leaderboard.
Officials say money raised during the challenge is supporting at-risk clients with emergency financial assistance and community suicide prevention initiatives.
“The response to this year’s Push-Up Challenge has been astounding,” says Mary Davis, CEO of CMHA North Bay and District. “The goal is to be a fun, active way to fundraise and get people talking about mental health. Completing 2,000 push-ups symbolizes the 2,000 lives lost to suicide worldwide every day worldwide.”
Across Canada, more than $3.9 million was raised for CMHA, with more than 60 million push-ups logged.
CMHA North Bay and District says it will join The Push-Up Challenge again next February.
