Merv Jaques won't be celebrating his 80th birthday with a party and cake.
Instead, the Bothwell resident will walk a full 42 km marathon in support of Southwestern Ontario's Ronald McDonald House.
"[Ronald] McDonald House is not the only place looking for money, but I'm really concerned about people," he says. "People that are having struggles with life, people that are in need. That, to me, is very important."
Jaques will ring in his eight decades of life a day after his actual birthday, by lacing up at the St. Clair College Health Plex in Chatham on Saturday, November 19.
Having been an avid walker for most of his life, Jaques says giving back to his community seemed like a fitting way to make his steps count.
The money that he raises will help cover the costs of families who need to stay at the London Ronald McDonald House, so that they can be close to the hospital where their sick child is being treated.
"Donations are coming in [strong]. I set a goal of $5,000 since Thanksgiving, and I think I'm going to reach that -- but $10,000 would be nice," says Jaques.
He plans to start walking at 7am, with a goal of crossing the finish line sometime in the early afternoon.
"I'm hoping to do probably just over six hours of actual walking time. I'm going to take the odd break here or there," says Jacques. "I'm not going to walk a full marathon non-stop, but I am going to walk a marathon."
For more information on how to donate, click here.
With files from Matt Weverink.
