4 skateboarders raise $40K for breast cancer research

A five-month, 8,000-kilometre journey ended Monday in Vancouver for four men who skateboarded across mainland Canada to raise moneyfor the fight againstbreast cancer.

Covered in sweat, Rob Lewis, Aaron Jackson, Benjamin Jordan and Carlos Koppen rolled their longboards extended skateboards used for speedinto Stanley Park after leaving Nova Scotiaon May 1.

The four, whoraised $40,000 for breast cancer research in the process, plunged into the waters off the park as dozens of skateboarders, family and supporters cheered.

Rob Lewis, one of the boarders who travelled from Nova Scotiato B.C., said he had two important things to do now that the journey is over.

"I'm gonna give my mom a hug, then I'm gonna take a nap for about a month," he said.

The group, all in their 20s, dreamed up the idea last year after one of their friends lost a mother to the disease.

Their Push for the Cure ride kicked off in Halifax, where three of theskateboarders live.

Jackson said one goal was to raise awareness among young people about the disease.

"It's not a middle-aged woman's problem. It's my problem. It's everybody here's problem," he said.

"This is something that's taking out our moms, our sisters, our girlfriends, our daughters," said Jackson. "You remove a cornerstone like that from any family, what's left of that family?"

'A much bigger person'

Jordan said he was intimidated by the idea, but agreed to accompany his friends.

"This was definitely something I was afraid to do and I figured if I could do it and survive, then I'd be a much bigger person," he said.

The group averaged from 80 to 100 kilometres per day, completing 135 kilometres on one record-breaking day.

Lewis says he never doubted the four would complete the trip.

"We set a goal and we're a bunch of stubborn guys. We always achieve them. And so no matter what happened, no matter how hard it'd be, we knew we would make it.

"This has got tobe the biggest thing that I've ever done in my life and I don't know how I'm ever gonna top it."