The second annual Hike for Hospice is happening this Sunday on the trails of Laurier Woods. Registration begins at 10:00am, and the hike gets underway at 11:00am. Nipissing Serenity Hospice Board Chair Mathilde Bazinet says Mayor Al McDonald will be among the lead walkers, alongside Kate Pace Lindsay.
The major fundraising event for the hospice, which is a home providing care for the terminally ill, helped raise $65,000 last year. Organizers are optimistic at least that much can be raised this year because Bazinet says based on pre-registration they’re expecting a good turnout. She says last year they had 400 people come out to walk, and they’re hoping for at least that many this year. Last year, the Dixie’s Chicks were the top fundraising team, raising more than $4,500.
Bazinet is encouraging people to dress warmly for the event, as the forecast is currently calling for light snow and for the temperature to be around zero. But hey, Bazinet says it’s better than having black flies bugging people. She says the money raised will go towards the building of the hospice. It will be located on John Street at the site of the old CN railway tracks, and will border on Chippewa Creek opposite the Kate Pace Way and Laurier Woods. Bazinet says they are still on track to have the hospice built by summer 2018.
