On Sunday, Wilmington’s youth proved that age doesn’t matter when it comes to making a difference. 

For the sixth year in a row, Wilmington hosted the Pan-Massachusetts Challenge Kids Ride to benefit The Jimmy Fund at The Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 

With over 150 students ranging from kindergarten through sixth grade, these kids were able to ride a one-mile loop beginning at the Boutwell Early Childhood Education center, looping around The West Intermediate School, passing the Wilmington Middle School and back.

With Face Painting, music, refreshments and, of course, hot dogs, the event reminded everyone that fun and fundraising can easily go hand in hand.

For the young riders it was a chance to prove that, much like their counterparts taking place in the Pan-Mass Challenge, they could set their minds towards making a difference in the lives of others.

Two riders, Caroline Rooney, 8, and her brother Charlie Rooney, 4 ¾ , as he was sure to point out, were riding as part of their family’s commitment to the Jimmy Fund.

As Caroline explained, “My grandfather has been riding in the Pan Mass Challenge for a long time.”

Inspired by that role model, who has been riding the challenge for twenty five years, Caroline and Charlie were happy to take part in Wilmington’s tradition of supporting the Jimmy Fund.

All in all, the day could not have been better.  The rain held off, riders breezed through the track and everyone enjoyed a successful day in the name of cancer research.