'Every kid deserves a present': Young runner goes the extra mile for CFAX's Santas Anonymous
With so many people in need this holiday season, one 11-year-old boy with a passion for running has decided to use his skill to raise money for CFAX’s Santas Anonymous, an island charity that donates gifts and hampers to families during the holidays.
Nikolas Tolias will set out this Sunday morning and run three times around the Cedar Hill Golf Course in Saanich, B.C, for a total of 10 kilometres. He's hoping to raise $10,000 for the Christmas charity with his fundraiser.
As of Friday, he's raised roughly $4,300 on his fundraising page which he started at the end of October.
The young runner and his family donate toys every year to CFAX’s Santas Anonymous, but this year, he felt the need was much greater.
"I’m doing this because I feel like every Christmas that every kid deserves a present, ‘cause it will just bring warmth to their heart that they’re not forgotten," said Tolias.
"If you can make a difference, you should make it, like in a good way, ‘cause on the bright side it will probably change the whole world," said the 11-year-old.
Nikolas plays soccer regularly and runs around the Cedar Hill Golf Course every week with his mom, one of his favorite things he likes to do.
This fundraising run will only be the second time he has run 10 kilometres all in one go, which he expects to complete in an hour alongside his mom.
He is grateful to all the people who have donated so far, but he says he can only reach his goal with everyone’s help.
On Friday afternoon, Tolias received some big help in his fundraising goal.
Realtors from REMAX Generation have decided to help Tolias by matching donations to his fundraising page until he meet his goal of $10,000.
For example, your $100 donation turns into a $200 donation between now and Sunday when the fundraising campaign ends.
Tolias says by helping him, you will help hundreds of kids wake up the same way he does on Christmas morning, with excitement and a smile in his heart.
"This has been a tough year for so many people, and if you can just give a little or a lot to those people who are in need of things, it will make them happy and it will just make them understand that they are not forgotten and they will always have a bright side to look forward to," he said.
Tolias will start his run at 8 a.m. along with his mom, rain or shine, at the Cedar Hill Golf Course clubhouse on Sunday morning.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Train derailed in Sarnia after colliding with a truck
Police are investigating after a transport truck collided with a train in Sarnia.
Fewer medical students going into family medicine contributing to doctor shortage
As some family doctors are retiring and others are moving away from family medicine, there are fewer medical students to take their place.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
Bodies found by U.S. authorities searching for missing B.C. kayakers
United States authorities who have been searching for a pair of missing kayakers from British Columbia since the weekend have recovered two bodies in the nearby San Juan Islands of Washington state.