Palliative care services for patients and families living in Northumberland County have received a big boost in funding as the numbers come in from a recent fundraiser for the county’s hospice centre.
Ed’s House Northumberland Hospice Care Centre Foundation has announced its 2025 edition of “Hike, Bike and Bark for Hospice,” held September 28 at Victoria Park in Cobourg, raised $70,796 towards essential hospice services in Northumberland.
More than 220 participants and more than 60 dogs joined in the fun, walking, running, and biking two-kilometre, five-kilometre, or 10-kilometre routes around town “to honour loved ones and make a difference,” stated Community Care Northumberland (CCN), which operates Ed’s House.
The event included music from deejay George Martin, a kids’ zone featuring games and activities provided by the Northumberland Child Development Centre, and hot dogs on the grill courtesy of the Lions Club of Cobourg.
“We are blown away by the support from our community,” said CCN CEO Trish Baird. “Every step, pedal, and donation helps us provide compassionate care to families during life’s most challenging moments. This event shows just how much our community cares.”
Money raised helps the care teams at Ed’s House provide essential services, including volunteer hospice support, In-Home Visiting Hospice, education, grief and bereavement counselling, and specialized end-of-life care in its 10-suite hospice residence in Cobourg. All services are offered at no charge to residents and their families.
“This year’s Hike, Bike, and Bark for Hospice is a day that brings our community together to support Ed’s House, raises awareness, and celebrates the care and compassion our team provides every day,” Chelsea Rankin, communications specialist for CCN and Ed’s House, told kawarthaNOW prior to the event.
“It’s also an opportunity to share the personal stories of those whose lives have been touched by Ed’s House and to show our appreciation for the incredible work being done. Most importantly, we want everyone to have a great time, enjoy the outdoors, connect with others, and have some fun while supporting a truly meaningful cause.”
Leading up to the event, participants rallied online through the official fundraising page, creating personal and team profiles, tracking donations, and sharing event graphics on social media. This year’s top individual fundraiser was Selena Forsyth, who raised $10,650. The top team fundraiser was the HG for Hospice Team, which raised $7,325.
The event included the chance to win prizes for registering. Prizes included a $1,600 “Moose Fatbike 1” from Century Cycle and raffle packages from All Creatures Great and Small, RiverLines Health & Well-Being Studio, and NAPA Auto Parts on William Street in Cobourg.
Family members Marilyn and Amber Smith shared a heartfelt tribute to their husband and father, Graham, honouring the one-year anniversary of his passing, while highlighting “the exceptional care he received at Ed’s House and the profound, lasting impact hospice services have had on their family.”
There was also a nail trim and dog wash fundraiser at Paulmac’s Pets in Cobourg. Community members brought their pets for dog washes and nail trims, raising an additional $1,505 for Ed’s House.
Ed’s House foundation gave special thanks to Ashley Crews and the Ryan Huffman Real Estate Team for organizing the event, and to the Northumberland Breakers Volleyball Club and Paulmac’s staff who helped wash the dogs and make the fundraiser such a success.
The foundation also gave a shout-out to its sponsors, including North Star Sponsor Lynn Hardy, past Ed’s House foundation board chair, Stadtke Plumbing and Heating, Eagle.ca, Milly’s Market in Port Hope, Jan Rosamond/Robyn Mumford, RE/MAX Rouge Realty Ltd., Nestlé Purina PetCare, Schmidt Law Legal – Scott McCracken, Bin-it, Shoppers Drug Mart Port Hope, and the Steblaj family.
A hospice centre in Hamilton Township that opened in the fall of 2020, Ed’s House is a service of CCN and provides palliative support at no cost to hospice clients and their families. It also offers caregiver support, palliative outreach and education, health system navigation, and grief and bereavement support. For more information, visit edshouse.northumberlandhospice.ca.
