TORONTO, Sept. 25 /CNW/ - As the wheels begin to spin at the annual Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Ride for Diabetes Research, Scotiabank welcomes Darryl Sittler and Damon Allen who will act as celebrity Scotiabank team coaches and will cheer on riders. Allen and Sittler will be on site from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 pm.

The opportunity to draft Sittler and Allen was part of an employee promotion. The Toronto sports celebrities will join top Scotiabank fundraising teams. In 2008, 1383 Scotiabank employees rode in 9 sites and raised almost $320,000.

WHO:    Damon Allen, former Toronto Argos quarterback
            Darryl Sittler, former Toronto Maple Leafs captain
            Scoti, Scotiabank Mascot
            A field of stationary bike riders all spinning for a good cause

    WHAT:   JDRF Ride for Diabetes Research. The JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes
            Research Foundation) Ride for Diabetes Research takes place
            across Canada starting in September and running through to
            November in some locations.

            Teams consist of five riders, and on event day each Team Member
            will alternate riding a stationary bike for eight minutes over
            the course of 40 minutes. Teams ride in one hour intervals so it
            fits into any schedule. Participants return year-after-year
            because the Ride for Diabetes Research is highly motivating, a
            great team building event and a tonne of fun.

            All team members must raise a minimum of $125 in pledge donations
            to participate.

    WHERE:  Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto

    WHEN:   Friday September 25, 2009
            The event runs from 9-4, with Allen and Sittler appearing from
            11:30 am until 1:00 pm.

About Scotiabank

Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad. Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for its charitable donations and philanthropic activities, in 2008 the Bank provided about $43 million in sponsorships and donations to a variety of projects and initiatives, primarily in the areas of healthcare, education, social services and arts and culture. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.