Arklan Community Public School and Char-Lan District High School raise record numbers for the Terry Fox foundation
Inspired by personal school connections of community members fighting cancer, two schools in the Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB) have raised record numbers of money for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Arklan Community Public School (PS) in Carleton Place and Char-Lan District High School (DHS) in Williamstown have received the UCDSB Ted Kennedy Legacy Award, a UCDSB press release details, issued on Thursday, May 7, 2026.
Founded in 2011, this award is presented annually to the top elementary and secondary schools that raise the most money per capita in support of the Terry Fox Foundation.
Arklan PS raised $20,634 in the 2025/2026 school year. Char-Lan DHS raised almost the same amount at $20,437. Both schools received the award in 2025, marking the second win for Arklan PS and the thirteenth for Char-Lan DHS.
Schools begin fundraising for the Terry Fox Foundation every September. For Arklan PS, staff and students were mainly inspired by UCDSB student Sam Rudge, daughter of Arklan PS Vice-Principal Sarah Rudge. Sam passed away from osteosarcoma, the same cancer Terry Fox had, on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2025.
“The school really rallied around our family,” said Sarah Rudge.
“Sam couldn’t be here, but they were on everyone’s mind. Everyone pushed through and set records that I don’t know if we can beat—but we’re going to try.”
The school’s parent council organized the creation of a mural where each student in the school painted a popsicle stick, the release detailed. The mural was designed to resemble a quilt, representing Sam’s love of art and the power of the school community.
“It just shows me how much love there is for Sam in this community… Seeing that really warmed my heart. I know a piece of Sam will always be in this building, and their legacy will live on in this community,” said Rudge.
“It just encouraged me that Sam was our inspiration,” said Shaye McNulty, one of the school’s top fundraisers. “I’m very sad that Sam’s gone, but I hope they are very proud. I know I am.”
At Char-Lan DHS, the school rallied around teacher Shirley MacDonell, who was undergoing treatment for breast cancer during the time of the campaign.
“It was so heartwarming and overwhelming,” said MacDonell. “The support from everyone was so encouraging while I was going through my treatment. They give people so much hope.”
The school’s fundraising efforts included pep rallies and the selling of produce, baked goods, and Terry Fox t-shirts. Additionally, they had a fundraising marker that resulted in Principal Jason Wagensveld and Vice-Principal Steven Blois having to kiss a goat.
One of the school’s top fundraisers, Grade 11 student Addy MacDonell, fundraised both in the school and throughout the community, the release shared.
“Our Link Crew class challenged the school to go above and beyond, and this year we really knocked it out of the park. I just hope that same spirit and drive continues in the years ahead,” MacDonell said.
Additionally, students like Mackenzie Caulk worked on educational and promotional aspects by making a video about Terry Fox’s story, promoting their campaign.
“When you think about a school of this size in a small, rural community, it really speaks to the passion and commitment behind this cause,” said Executive Superintendent Chris Boulay who presented the award.
“This can’t be done without everyone working together.”
Char-Lan DHS ranked in the top seven secondary schools in Ontario this year, having raised $137,621 in the last 13 years. Arklan PS ranked 15th among Ontario’s top fundraisers for elementary schools, the release noted. They’ve raised $61,823 since 2011.
Altogether, UCDSB schools have contributed more than $2.2 million to the Terry Fox Foundation.