Counting steps to help Sudbury seniors
Since 2016, Lasalle Secondary School and Finlandia Village retirement community in Sudbury have partnered to get both youth and seniors moving all while raising important funds. This year instead of having the 5th annual SISU family walk from the high school to the retirement community, event organizers decided to put on a walkathon that will see students trek around Australia virtually.
"It worked into hitting a target of hitting 10,000 steps for everybody, and so the shift from doing the walk to Finlandia where we had people on a day. Now we’re looking at getting habits into people, not just one day, now it’s a lifestyle change,” Matt Cootes, a teacher at the participating Sudbury high school.
This year’s goal is to raise more than $10,000 to support a greenhouse at Finlandia Village to cultivate food and herbs for the residents. Some 550 competitors hope to accumulate 14 million steps by Nov. 5. Participants will monitor their progress using pedometers provided by event partner Sling Choker Manufacturing.
"At Lasalle Secondary School, we are committed to promoting lifelong health and wellness for all," says Principal Maureen McNamara. "We also take pride in supporting our seniors, sustainability and the community in which we live. We invite the public to join our students and staff as we journey around Australia and raise funds to enhance the quality of life for residents at Finlandia Village."
The steps don’t just have to come from walking, participants can do whatever they want as long as they get their bodies moving.
"Doesn’t matter what kind of event it is, it could be a sport, it could be just walking, it could be recreational, doesn’t matter just as fun and just to participate and help out the community," said Grade 10 student Zidain Allen.
In previous years, the event has supported the development of walking trails throughout the retirement community and contributed funds towards the gym.
Learn more here
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
BREAKING Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.