Canadian organization focused on helping sick kids holds first fundraiser in Edmonton

A well-established national organization has come to Western Canada for the first time in hopes of raising funds for sick children.

Shriners Hospitals for Children partnered with the Spartan Race held in Edmonton Saturday to fund research at the Shriners Hospital in Montreal.

“We have kids from all over the world actually go to the Montreal hospital for different things. It’s a general children’s hospital and it’s very well respected in its field,” Jim Edgar, past potentate of Shriners, said.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "We have kids from all over the world actually go to the Montreal hospital for different things. It's a general children's hospital and it's very well respected in its field," Jim Edgar, past potentate of Shriners, said.

Participants of the race paid $200, with the money going towards the hospital.

READ MORE: Teens with disabilities train for Spartan Race to raise funds for Shriners Hospital

Shriners’ partnership with the Spartan Race is an effort by the organization to extend its reach.

“Shriners, like every other organization, we’re getting older, and we’re always looking for ways to get our name out in front of the general public, ” Edgar said.

“This type of event, they are all younger people, much younger than what we are, so they see us and they find out what we do.”

READ MORE: Jennifer Lawrence thrills young patients with surprise hospital visit

The Edmonton event was the first of three this summer in Alberta, with the other two happening in Calgary and Red Deer.

The organization is hopeful its initial foray into Western Canada will be a successful one.