The amount of money raised in this year's Hike for Hospice in Chatham-Kent surpassed last year's total.
More than 600 participants raised more than $150,000 during the 7th annual event that ran all of last week. In 2022, Chatham-Kent’s Hike for Hospice raised $128,700.
People had the option of hiking Mud Creek Trail throughout the week or attending the in-person event on Sunday.
The funds raised provide free end-of-life care, including residential hospice care, care coordination, and grief and bereavement support to local families.
"We are so thankful to the hikers and the donors for all they do to support our hospice families. It was so touching to see so many people walking together on the trail and all the memorial signs are just a reminder of the impact Hospice has made in our community over the past 7 years," said Special Event Chair for the Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation Board of Directors Ginny Hawken.
Hospice officials noted many workplaces from across Chatham-Kent participated in the Corporate Challenge as well and the winning team was Hopkins Hikers from Hopkins Canada in Blenheim. Honourable mentions go to Battery Boy, Kent & Essex Mutual Crusaders, Hub Hikers, Maple Mutuals, and TekSavvy Trailblazers.
The Hike for Hospice event in Chatham-Kent has raised over $785,000 since it began in 2017.
Chatham-Kent Hospice has also served 1,038 residents and their families since it opened its doors in 2016.
All residential hospices in Ontario receive partial funding from the government and must raise the remaining dollars needed to meet their overall operating budget. The Chatham-Kent Hospice Foundation said it must raise on average $121,000 every month to meet Hospice’s operating needs.
Chatham-Kent Hospice also receives partial funding from the Erie St. Clair Local Health Integration Network (LHIN) which covers approximately 38 per cent of the annual operating budget. These funds cover salaries and benefits for clinical staff at CK Hospice, according to information published on the CK Hospice web site.
The Hospice in Chatham-Kent has more than 175 volunteers and collaborates with St. Andrew’s Residence in Chatham to help keep operating costs as low as possible and make the most of donors dollars, said CK Hospice.
