Captain Steven Sloat is incorporating the new CAF dress policy into his fundraising efforts for Sick Kids Ride for Cancer. Seen cycling at CFB Shilo, on June 17, he is willing to shave off his beard and go bald, with aerodynamic legs for the cause. (Photo: K-J Millar/Shilo Stag Media)

K-J Millar
Shilo Stag Media

A new Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) dress policy will benefit the SickKids Foundation Great Cycle Challenge when CFB Shilo Captain Steven Sloat issues a fundraising challenge to shave off his well-recognized long beard for the cause.

His goal is cycling 1,000 kilometres for $2,000.

“Why? Because right now, more than 1,700 children are diagnosed with cancer every year, and it’s the biggest killer of children from disease in Canada.”

“Kids should be living life, not fighting for it,” Capt. Sloat said.

Amended in 2022 to allow the inclusion of personality, increase freedom of choice with longer hair lengths and looser appearance guidelines, confines to the CAF Dress code tighten up regarding beard and dress attire deportment on July 2.

Capt. Sloat wants to take advantage of that change and have his well- known almost ten-inch beard be the hero of his $2,000 fundraising efforts to support his promise to cycle more than 1,000 kilometres during the campaign month of August.

“I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support SickKids Foundation to allow them to continue their work in developing treatments and finding a cure for childhood cancer.”

The Great Cycle Challenge, entering its ninth year, has raised more than $46,960,208 in support of research to develop treatments and find a cure for childhood cancer. Community riders from all 13 provinces and territories have ridden a total of 24,200,181 kilometres, with Capt. Sloat rode 5,465 km during the past seven years of his 15 years at CFB Shilo.

Having raised more than $1,000 so far for this year’s trek, Sloat wants to be “aerodynamic” for his cycle efforts and has committed to shaving off his beard entirely on July 2 if he can reach his $2,000 fundraising goal, despite the Military new dress regulations permitting a one-inch beard.

He said the highest donation over $500 will give someone the opportunity to cut off one of his two beard braids. If he can surpass his initial goal of $1,000 and garner $2,000 in donations, he promises to also shave his head. The career Army member will let his legs fall victim to the razor if $2,500 is raised for the SickKids Foundation.

To help the CFB Shilo CAF member and Capt. Sloat’s fundraising effort to support youth with cancer, donations can be made at: https://www.greatcyclechallenge.ca/Riders/StevenSloat