Students and staff at Porter Creek Secondary School walked six kilometres around their neighbourhood and raised $1,100 for the Terry Fox Foundation on Sept. 13.
Approximately 50 staff members organized and participated in the event. They walked from Hickory Street to Wann Road, then onto Centennial Street and back to the school on 12th Avenue between 10:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Trena Irving, an English and drama teacher, has been leading this fundraiser for over ten years. She has lost family members to cancer and strongly believes in supporting Terry Fox’s legacy.
“I think it's really important, and I value it as almost part of my Canadian identity, to align myself with Terry Fox and all of the values of his run and foundation,” Irving told the News.
Irving’s English students wrote letters to local businesses asking for sponsorship and support. These businesses provided food and drinks, which were sold at school to raise money following the run.
“I get my English class students to write sponsorship letters to local businesses asking them to donate food and drink and then we sell that at lunchtime, and then all the proceeds go to the Terry Fox Foundation,” she said.
This year’s fundraiser garnered support from regular sponsors like Real Canadian Superstore, Panago Pizza, Save-on-Foods and Domino's Pizza. Irvin emphasized the crucial role businesses play in supporting the school achieve its $1,000 fundraising goal.
“With businesses helping us with fundraising, we've always achieved this goal,” she adds.
Last year’s event raised $1,200 with the support of Whitehorse businesses.
Irving said students at Porter Creek Secondary need to accumulate volunteer hours for their careers class. They could achieve this by running the concessions after the event.
Sunday, Sept. 15 saw another Terry Fox Run event depart Whitehorse's Rotary Park with about 90 people participating despite "less than ideal conditions" according to organizer George Maratos. Between on-site and online pledges this event raised $3,285, Maratos said. He said such events in Whitehorse have raised more than $200,000 since they began.
Contact Jake Howarth at jake.howarth@yukon-news.com
