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pital? Ben Davidson, an artist and carver from Haida Gwaii, British Colombia, was commissioned for the project. Lees then organized a group of 40 riders to bike from Edmonton out to Haida Gwaii. The totem pole travelled to Edmonton via trailer, but it would be accompanied by an escort of cyclists. The ride raised more than $450,000 for the Stollery. Sadly, in 2020, Davidson passed away from a heart attack at the age of 44.
Edmonton Journal Editor-in-Chief Allan Mayer said that while some journalists
this barrier. So, Lees thought, why not bring a ladder to the run? It became such a goofy, popular thing, he was able to sell ad space on it, with the proceeds going to charity.
“It became something of an ongoing joke,” Lees says. “Other runners would come and carry the ladder for a while. Some carried it for 200 yards, while some others might carry it for a couple of miles.”
In 2014, Lees had an idea to raise funds for the Stollery: Wouldn’t it be awesome if a totem pole could be placed in the hos-
take on assignments, Lees was an “idea machine” and that he’d dreamed of doing the Edmonton-Haida Gwaii run for 20 years.
Last year, he made his final run, which raised about $50,000 for the University Hospital Foundation. Now, Lees is battling cancer. And he’s grateful for the support of his friends and the city as a whole.
“I am so glad people have stepped up to help me,” he says.
It’s the least we could do for someone who has done so much for Edmonton. ED.
Nick Lees was photographed at Canterbury Court
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