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
Spring allergy season has begun. Where is it worse in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Record-breaking N.B. lottery winner kept winning ticket on dresser for nearly a year
A New Brunswicker will go to bed Thursday night much richer than he was Wednesday after collecting on a winning lottery ticket he let sit on his bedroom dresser for nearly a year.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
Fallen crypto mogul Sam Bankman-Fried sentenced to 25 years in prison
Crypto entrepreneur Sam Bankman-Fried was sentenced Thursday to 25 years in prison for a massive fraud that unravelled with the collapse of FTX, once one of the world's most popular platforms for exchanging digital currency.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.