More than a hundred people turned out for the Great Strides Walk at Penfield School on Sunday to support the fight against cystic fibrosis (CF).
Some walkers collected sponsors online and others the old fashioned door-to-door way like five-year-old Kolbie Rosse who raised $551. A total of $11,400 was raised for Cystic Fibrosis Canada.
Close to $6,000 was raised by Kim Wood’s team of friends and family.
Walkers ranged in age from infants like Hana Sharpe to 90-year-old Noreen Clarkson.
After an energetic warm up led by Sally Feast, walkers were sent on their way to the invigorating sound of bagpipes played by piper Brian Shaw.
Walkers were kept safe thanks to volunteers from Citizens on Patrol and St. John Ambulance. Children were entertained by the Bounce a Rama thanks to Mike and Pamela Savoie and a craft table led by Kathy Rae.
Walkers were welcomed back with a delicious hot dog and hamburger barbecue donated by Jim Costain from Dairy Queen and manned by Kinsmen Club members. Other food was donated by Thrifty Foods, Quality Foods and Coca Cola.
Major sponsors include Marine Harvest, Capacity Forest Management and Quinsam Coal.
Mayor Walter Jakeway spoke about the need to support Cystic Fibrosis Canada and River Stoppard gave a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and supported the Great Strides walk because of the benefit to her daughter Sylvana Denroche.
Risa Branchi, president of the Campbell River CF chapter, said this was only one of 60 walks across Canada with 12,000 participants. A total of more than $3 million was raised from all the walks.
Branchi expressed her gratitude to all who participated and supported and especially here in Campbell River to Krista Houston, the organizer of the event.