Cycling for cancer: Regina principal biking 500 km

Sharlene Holliday admits her goal of cycling 500 kilometres in 30 days is a lofty onebut it's for a good cause.

Holliday, the principal at Regina's St. Gregory Elementary School, is participating in the Great Cycling Challenge and is looking to raise awareness and money, $1,000,for cancer initiatives.

"Rain or shine, it doesn't matter," Holliday told CBC Radio'sThe Morning Editionon Monday.

"It's just a little bit that we can do for kids that are fighting, around the world, against cancer."

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As of Monday, Holliday said she has about 19 days left in the challenge.

She bikes from the east end of the city to the north end, to work and back home, every weekday and at least one day on the weekend. She estimates she'll have to log about 150 kilometres this week to stay on track to hit her goal.

Hollidaysaid she has seen and felt the impact of cancer, as she lost her mother to cancer seven years ago. Her son lost a friend to leukemia 18 years ago. She has also felt the impact it has had on the student body.

Hollidaysaid she rides with another school staffer to work and the two greet students in the morning. She said they've talked with students about the importance of what they're doing and the importance of fitness.

"It's devastating for families, devastating for school communities, so it's the least that I can do," she said of the challenge.