By Scott Roblin

Medicine Hat skateboarders getting set for humanitarian trip to Mexico

Mar 6, 2018 | 5:09 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A group of Medicine Hat skateboarders are gearing up for a trip of a lifetime that’s been over a year in the making.

Members of the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association will be headed to Mexico in late March to assist families in need and those affected by human trafficking.

Of course a trip of that magnitude needs money, and on Sunday the local community stepped up to make the trip a reality.

Supporters packed the Summit Arts & Sports Centre on Sunday night, taking part in a silent auction fundraiser.

Around 40 skaters will be travelling to Ensenada, Mexico to build homes for struggling families and help expand a woman’s home used to help those escaping human trafficking.

HERE'S WHAT TO KNOW

Summer pool hours extended and discounts applied as Big Marble Go Centre upgrades start

Apr 18, 2024

Medicine Hat company drawing in clients with witty signage

Apr 16, 2024

Medicine Hat College holding event for missing and murdered Indigenous women awareness day

Apr 16, 2024

Davie James with the Skateboard Assocation said it’s an important opportunity that will not only affect those in Mexico, but their club members as well.

“These kids are going to see things they’ve never seen before,” said James. “They’re going to learn that basic things like having shelter over your head, food and water, that they’re not as easy to come by in different areas of the world. So, it’s a really important, valuable life lesson that these kids are going to learn.”

It will be the first international trip with the Skateboard Association for local skater Mason Archibald, who said the trip will help shed light on the positive aspects of the sport.

“They’re helping change perspective on people,” said Archibald. “We were once called creatures of the night and now we’re called super citizens thanks to the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association. And, doing things like this just really helps.”

Expecting to raise around $10,000 on Sunday, donors blew that number out of the water and raised over $14,000. That means they have less than $3,000 left to raise before they head down to Mexico.

James said the community support he’s seen has been overwhelming, showing how much of an impact the Skateboard Association now has in Medicine Hat.

“I did not expect to see this many people out,” he said. “It’s actually super emotional to see that people give a rat’s-what about [what] these hooligans, these skateboarders are up to.”

The group will depart Medicine Hat on March 30 and will be held in conjunction with Eagles Nest Ranch.