Northumberland residents with two legs and four are invited to hike, bike, and bark to support hospice services in the county.
Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre (Ed’s House) Foundation and Community Care Northumberland (CCN) are hosting their annual “Hike, Bike and Bark for Hospice” fundraiser for the Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation.
The foundation’s purpose is to raise money to support the operation of CCN’s hospice service programs in the community, including the palliative care community team and volunteer hospice visiting program, which operate alongside the 24/7 end-of-life care provided at Ed’s House in Cobourg.
Registration is now open for this year’s event, which takes place on Sunday, September 29th at Victoria Park in Cobourg.
Joel Scott, director of donor relations and communications for CCN and Ed’s House, told kawarthaNOW about his hopes for the event and why it’s an especially important fundraiser this year.
“My hope for this event is that it becomes a community unto its own — an event that brings people together once a year to celebrate, remember, and raise funds for hospice services,” Scott said. “My hope is that more and more families, and community groups join us this year.”
“The day is a mix of fun community togetherness, in a beautiful setting in Victoria Park, with powerful stories, people sharing experiences, meeting new friends, and coming together to raise funds for Ed’s House and hospice care.”
Scott said last year’s event brought together more than 150 hikers.
“I want more people to experience that, and to learn about the amazing resource our community has in Ed’s House and hospice services,” he added.
“From our community team to residence care, to grief and bereavement support, the professionals that serve our clients and their loved ones at all stages of care deserve the loudspeaker we offer to share their work, and the difference they make in the lives of people we serve.”
Those who register can hike or bike and bring their dogs, choosing to complete either a two-kilometre, five-kilometre, or 10-kilometre route.
Registration is $30 per person and includes an official event T-shirt and race kit. Youth aged 13 to 18 can join the event for $15. Children under 12, as well as furry friends, can participate at no cost. Details on the race kit pick-up will be announced soon, the organization noted in a media release.
“We hope everyone will join us and help support the Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation,” said CCN CEO Trish Baird in the release. “Your participation and support are vital in continuing our important work.”
This year’s endeavour is particularly significant, as Ed’s House recently completed its expansion from a six-suite residential hospice facility to a 10-suite facility, Scott noted.
“With this growth come new responsibilities and fundraising goals, making community support more important than ever,” Scott said. “Even with the funding growth from the Province of Ontario, we rely heavily on grants, donations, bequests, and the generous support of sponsors to continue offering these vital services at no cost to clients, their caregivers, and loved ones.”
“We raised $36,000 last year — the first year out of the pandemic. This year we’ve set a bold target of $50,000 plus.”
For more information and to register, donate, or provide sponsorship, visit www.hikebikebarkforhospice.ca.
