‘Hip Hip Hooray’ walk here Sunday

A 10-year-old tradition here, it’s time once again to raise money for hip replacement research when the annual “Hip Hip Hooray” walk gets underway Sunday.
Slated to begin at 1 p.m. at the Sister Kennedy Centre (401 Nelson St.), the walk will follow Front Street to the Sorting Gap Marina and back again.
Registration will be at noon.
Jenny Wonfor, chair of the organizing committee, said yesterday she’s expecting 50-75 participants who already have been getting sponsors for the event. But she stressed it’s never too late to start.
“You can get pledge sheets at the Sister Kennedy Centre, or if drop by my house at 904 Banta Blvd. I’ll be putting some out there by my mailbox,” she noted.
Last year’s event raised about $4,000.
As in the past, Wonfor said everyone is welcome to come out for the event. “We’ve had children, dogs, and people up to 90 years old. You can ride bikes, scooters, whatever it takes to get around,” she remarked.
While participants aren’t required to get sponsors, there is a $10 fee to take part. “But for that you get a T-shirt, refreshments, and we’ll be giving away a few prizes, too,” noted Wonfor.
Wonfor said she was hoping for sunny, warm weather but remained steadfast the walk would go on “rain or shine.”
Rain ponchos will be lent out to anyone caught without a jacket.
Half of the money raised will go to the Canadian Orthopedic Foundation while the other half stays here.
“They use it to buy equipment for physiotherapy at the hospital. And the other half goes to Rainycrest,” Wonfor said.
She also stressed the importance of the foundation to the elderly and handicapped. “It’s Canada’s only non-profit organization dedicated to restoring people to mobility,” Wonfor remarked.