On June 30, approximately 70 local young people, who formed Kids Running For Kids, began a relay run from Williams Lake to Vancouver, with the goal of raising $50,000 for B.C. Children’s Hospital.
The group arrived in Vancouver on July 7 and presented a cheque for $77,726.47 to the Hospital Foundation. Kids Running For Kids is still gratefully accepting donations, and is looking to raise $100,000.
“We are incredibly proud of these amazing young people, who have worked hard for months even before starting their run to help other kids who may need to use the Children’s Hospital,” says Mayor Kerry Cook. “We want to honour their hard work and commitment and help them raise even more money for the hospital. We invite everyone to come to Boitanio Park, have a hot dog, enjoy the live music, meet the inspirational members of the group, and make a donation — every little bit will go a long way.”
“We are so proud of this group of children and their families,” says Karen Sokolan, treasurer of Kids Running For Kids. “Collectively they ran approximately 4,000 kilometres in communities from Williams Lake to Vancouver.
They trained for months beforehand and then ran, ate, camped and travelled together for eight days and kept smiling through it all. Many times we, as parents, were told what terrific ambassadors the children were.”
Beth Holden, who organized this year’s Performances in the Park concert series, says she’s looking forward to it.
“I’m excited that Performances in the Park can help recognize these kids in front of the community, and celebrate their amazing accomplishments,” Holden says.
Any donations made at the barbecue or before Aug. 26 will be matched by the CN Miracle Match program.
Mayor and council will present each Kids Running For Kids participant a Certificate of Appreciation at the Aug. 16 event.
Stephen Forgacs, director of communications for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation, will be on hand to thank the children and award then a certificate.
Sponsors of the relay run are also encouraged to attend.