Students at the Tigon Tae Kwon Do Black Belt Academy in Langford received a lesson in endurance and helping others this week.

The school hosted a kickathon to raise money for Ronald McDonald House, with students collecting pledges before completing 1,000 kicks at a special event Monday evening.

B次元官网网址淲e call this our kids helping kids program,B次元官网网址� said head instructor Tim Dudley. Behind him students glistening with sweat smile as they wait their turn to complete their round of kicks.

The school tries to do a fundraiser every year for different organizations, Dudley said, and Ronald McDonald House seemed a logical fit based on his experiences there and the fact it helps the families of sick children. Dudley and his wife spent some time at the Vancouver-based facility after their daughter was born with a heart defect. At two weeks old, she was flown to B.C. ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 Hospital, meaning that to be nearby, B次元官网网址渢he only other option was to stay in a hotel.B次元官网网址� He added, B次元官网网址測ou can stay there as long as you need to.B次元官网网址�

This is the first kickathon for many of the students and Dudley said a number of them were quite surprised with their fundraising results. Students were encouraged to go around their neighbourhoods and ask friends and family to pledge a penny per kick, which translates to $10.

Of those children that havenB次元官网网址檛 collected pledges before, he said many set a goal for themselves of $20 but actually raised closer to $200. One academy member even came in with a cheque from one sponsor for $100.

The students started to notice how all of those pennies add up and Dudley said some children have even asked if they could keep fundraising after the event.

B次元官网网址淏y the time they finish tonight theyB次元官网网址檒l feel like theyB次元官网网址檒l be able to do another 1,000,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey wonB次元官网网址檛 want to go.B次元官网网址�

The kickathon was the first time many of the students have ever attempted that many kicks in one session. Dudley said it will be a lesson in endurance and hard work.

B次元官网网址淲e just finished 250 and I think theyB次元官网网址檙e starting to realize,B次元官网网址� he said with a laugh. B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檒l all sleep well tonight.B次元官网网址�

One young student and first-time participant who was about halfway through admitted he was feeling really tired, but was excited to continue. B次元官网网址淚 thought it was going to be really hard, but it turned out to be easier than I thought,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a really good cause.B次元官网网址�

The pledges totalled about $6,300 to be passed along to the charity.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com