The trail we blaze
The hikers started in the parking lot of the Joel Steele Community Centre and blazed their trail of either the 2.5 km or 5 km trails, which were marked for the participants. Sisters Jan and Jackie Cross held the banner up high to commemorate the start of the 7th annual Hike for Hospice. Glover photo

We are family
Before the crowd set out on their hike, Marilyn Parisien warmed everyone up with some stretches and dancing to the hit pop song, “We Are Family”. Also pictured from the left, North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser, South Dundas deputy mayor Kirsten Gardner and Reagan Gardner, Kirsten’s daughter.
Glover photo

WINCHESTER – After three years of bad luck with cold, rainy or cloudy weather, the annual Hike for Hospice finally landed on a beautiful sunny day on Sun., May 5 at the Joel Steele Community Centre.

“The last three hikes we’ve had were not very good for weather, last year wasn’t too bad but today is very fortunate for us,” said Paul Renaud, board chair of the Dundas County Hospice.

The Dundas County Hospice co-ordinates the hike each year to raise money for their various programs that benefit the community. The process is simple, runners pledge donations for the cause and then walk and/or run the 5 km hike through Winchester.

This year’s hike managed to surpass last year’s total by raising $9,800 to help the hospice serve the community better.

“What we raise today goes to some of our programs that help out the community,” said Renaud. “We have a visiting program for the community, we have a day hospice program, an equipment-lending program and other complimentary therapies that we provide to clients.” Renaud noted that this year’s hike brought in a considerable number of participants, keeping on pace from the previous years, “the participation for this year has been very good,” he said. “It’s not considerably more or considerably less, I think the participation would be about the same from the previous years. Each year, the hike becomes a bit more popular and people can see how good and helpful it is for the community and the clients that we serve.”

Before the hike started at 1:30 p.m., participants, including North Dundas Mayor Tony Fraser and South Dundas deputy mayor Kirsten Gardner, warmed up with dancing and stretches to the hit pop song, “We Are Family”.

“I have had discussions with Kirsten and Mayor Steven Byvelds and Paul [Renaud] on how we can work together as two municipalities to ensure the viability, success and support of the Hospice from Dundas County and beyond,” said Fraser. “It’s something that is truly needed and we value it highly in our community and I’m sure it’s the same in South Dundas.”