Annual Hike for Hospice in Sudbury
The annual Hike for Hospice event took place throughout the afternoon at Bell Park in Sudbury on Sunday.
Sunday’s rain didn’t stop dozens of people from gathering in memory of their loved ones who have passed away at the hospice (cut comma) while raising some much-needed funds for the Maison McCulloch Hospice.
"For me, it was my step-father (who) passed this past year. The people at the hospice, they were very kind, very helpful, thoughtful and I’m just trying to do my part by helping out," one of the participants told CTV News.
"I’m walking for my grandfather on my mom’s side, Henry. I really do miss him. I was really sad this morning. Thankfully, I have my friends and my family here," Cooper Didone, another participant, said.
Greater Sudbury Mayor Brian Bigger lost his father earlier this year to bone cancer, who spent the last two weeks of his life at the hospice.
Bigger said he will be forever thankful for the staff at the hospice.
"In the final days, he went to HSN and a week later, he was in the hospice. The staff at the hospice just bend over backwards to make that experience as good as an experience as possible and also the level of care for the patients is exceptional," Bigger said.
All funds raised at the event go toward operational expenses and organizers said the need is even greater due to the expansion at the facility.
"Only our nursing and PSW staff is funded by the ministry. We have to raise money for absolutely everything else, such as housekeeping and cleaning supplies, everything. So, this event is one of our biggest earners," Julie Aube, executive director at the Maison McCulloch Hospice, said.
"None of our services come at a cost. It’s free. And in order to keep it free and accessible to everyone, we rely heavily on community donations."
The goal for this year’s event was $150.000 and Sudbury Credit Union, the main sponsor of the event, kicked off the event with a $25,000 donation.
"Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather, but we’re hoping that people will still be making pledges for our hospice. Sudbury is very fortunate to have such a great foundation in our hospice in Sudbury where people can live out their final days," said Mimi Regimbal, CEO of Sudbury Credit Union.
The hospice needs to raise a total of $1.45 million to keep its doors open this year.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
Cuban government apologizes to Montreal-area family after delivering wrong body
Cuba's foreign affairs minister has apologized to a Montreal-area family after they were sent the wrong body following the death of a loved one.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
Northern Ont. lawyer who abandoned clients in child protection cases disbarred
A North Bay, Ont., lawyer who abandoned 15 clients – many of them child protection cases – has lost his licence to practise law.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Boeing's financial woes continue, while families of crash victims urge U.S. to prosecute the company
Boeing said Wednesday that it lost US$355 million on falling revenue in the first quarter, another sign of the crisis gripping the aircraft manufacturer as it faces increasing scrutiny over the safety of its planes and accusations of shoddy work from a growing number of whistleblowers.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Fair in Ontario, flurries in Labrador: Weather systems make for an erratic spring
"It's a bit of a complicated pattern; we've got a lot going on," said Jennifer Smith of the Meteorological Service of Canada in an interview with CTVNews.ca on Wednesday. "[As is] typical with weather, all of these things are related."