The annual Hike4Hospice event for Huron Hospice is coming up next month.
Christopher Walker, Manager of Development and Communications for Huron Hospice, says the walk is a fun family friendly event that encourages participants to get outside while helping a great cause.
"It's a fundraiser for Huron Hospice and the programs that we operate. But it's also a chance for people to get out in the fresh air and the sunshine and we do it different places every year. We've been in Bayfield and Goderich the last couple of years," Walker shared.
This year, the hike will be at the Blyth Campground on Sunday, May 25. Walker says the hospice offers many different services.
"We have 24/7 nursing care at our Bender House residence (at 37857 Huron Road, Clinton), we have in-home community care and respite, which is right in a family's home, and we also offer a loss, grief and bereavement recovery program," Walker noted.
That program covers a wide range of grief counselling and services to help people experiencing loss, which Walker points out can come in many forms.
"This could be the death of a loved one, the loss of a pet, or even the loss of a job or a marriage breaking down. Grief comes in many forms and people sometimes have a hard time dealing with it, and that's what we offer with this program. A way to help people deal with it and get support," added Walker.
“The Hike is always a family-friendly fundraiser. To keep everyone healthy, we will provide a low-impact physical workout and opportunities to walk with differing degrees of difficulty. To keep everyone fed, we will have a BBQ with burgers from Shanahan’s of Goderich. We will also have games for the whole family," said Willy Van Klooster, Huron Hospice Executive Director.
"The Hike is one of Huron Hospice's important fundraising events. Funds raised at the Hike stay in Huron County and help Make Moments Matter for families who are at that difficult time at the end of life. Hikers and other donors are a vital part of the Huron Hospice family. They contribute half the revenue we need to operate the Hospice every year," said Lisa Taylor, Huron Hospice Board Chair.
Anyone interested in forming and registering a team this year for the Hike4Hospice to collect pledges can find information at huronhospice.ca or https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/huron-hospice-volunteer-service/p2p/2025Hike/.