Award-winning Calgary girl Tallyn Spring turns birthday skate party into Children’s Hospital fundraiser

Tallyn Spring celebrated her 9th birthday Saturday with a skating party that doubled as a fundraiser for the Alberta Children's Hospital. (Darren Wright/ CTV Calgary)

Tallyn Spring turned nine Saturday and celebrated by raising money for the Alberta Children’s Hospital neurosurgery unit.

A bunch of Calgarians, including members and the mascot of the Calgary Hitmen, showed up at Cardel Rec Centre to celebrate Tallyn’s special day, which comes a few weeks after she received a King Charles Coronation Award in recognition of her efforts.

“She’s been doing it for seven years now,” said her mom Amy, “raising money for neurosurgery at the Alberta Children’s Hospital.”

Over the first six years of her fundraising birthday skates, Tallyn has raised over $20,000.

Saturday, her goal was $10,000.

In an interview with CTV News, Tallyn explained why she does it.

“I raise money so the hospital can help do their job and cure kids like my sister,” she said.

“She’s doing it for her big sister Lette,” added Amy, “who’s had three brain surgeries, two of which are to help with her epilepsy.”

“Tallyn has been watching her with seizures her entire life and decided she wanted to help out and pay the doctors back somehow.

“We’re already at the $5,000 mark, so we’ll see what happens.”

Amy said there’s a real impact behind raising funds.

“These doctors at the Alberta Children’s Hospital rely on donor funds in order to continue their research and get the equipment that they need,” she said. “Events like this – whether you’re making $10,000 or $200 – it makes a huge difference in everything these doctors in the hospital are able to do.”

She said seeing her daughter receive a King Charles Coronation Medal was “unbelievable.”

“I couldn’t believe somebody would recognize my daughter with such an honour,” Amy said, “and she is just this amazing kid.”

Tallyn turned the medal into an experience for her whole school.

“I had my whole school do an assembly for me and they cheered and clapped,” she said. “It felt very heartwarming when I got my medal.”

To learn more about the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, go here.