The first-ever run for compassion is taking place this Sunday with hundreds of people slated to run or walk through the streets of Pointe-Claire.
The event is being held to raise funds for the West Island Palliative Care Residence.
Race organizer Debbie Elvidge said she drew on past experience to pull the event together.
“I had worked for the Running Room in the past, so I was familiar with events,” she said. “Marrying it with West Island Palliative Care — which is a residence I’m passionate about — I wanted to bring the two together.”
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And that’s something Teresa Dellar, the residence’s executive director, is grateful for.
“She’s been amazing with helping us, first of all, learn how to run a race and learn how to organize it, but she’s also a great champion for the residence,” Dellar said.
“We’re really grateful for all her work and all the volunteers who are coming out.”
More than 60 volunteers have signed up to help ensure the event runs smoothly.
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Participants can choose from a one- or five-kilometre race. There’s even a kid zone set up at Valois Park, where the run begins and ends.
“We’re going to have Olaf visiting and we’re going to have another mascot Sharkie,” Elvidge said. “We have a Pointe-Claire fire truck so the kids can hopefully climb all over.
There’s also a one-kilometre run around the park for the kids who want to participate.
Elvidge told Global News she’s “blown away” by the run’s success so far.
“I had a goal in mind and we’ve surpassed that, so we’re over $11,000 and it would be wonderful to hit $20,000 and keep going,” she said, adding the hope is to make it a yearly event.
For more information visit the West Island Palliative Care Residence website.
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