With the pledges flowing in and a contingent of fellow walkers eager to join him on his 20-mile trek, Tom Bruyere is all ready to make the annual “Walk for Dialysis” tomorrow.
Bruyere said yesterday afternoon his pledges look to be “much in line with last year.”
“Last year, we were around the $16,000 mark. I personally have done $5,000 as of today,” he noted, adding those who walk with him also bring in a lot of funds.
“I think we’ll have a lot more walkers coming out this year,” Bruyere remarked. “I think last year we had 22, and most of those people seem to be ready to repeat the walk.
“In addition to that, one of the TOPS groups out in Devlin tells me they’re going to walk this year, and I had a couple out in Alberton who said they wanted to walk.
“I’m guessing we’ll have around 30, if the weather holds out.”
Bruyere mused about how much his walk has gained attention—and support—since he first did it eight years ago.
“We’ve certainly got a lot more supporters out there than we did initially,” he said. “As far as volunteers working with us on the walk and the number of people out there collecting pledges for us, it certainly has grown.
“It’s grown a lot more than I ever expected, a lot more than I ever intended,” he chuckled.
The 61-year-old Bruyere also said he’s “as ready as I’m going to be” for tomorrow’s 20 mile trek.
“I damaged my toe last weekend, but I think it’s in good enough condition that I don’t have to worry about it,” he noted.
“I’m out walking usually about six or seven miles every day just to be sure it’s not going to be too strenuous, or nothing unexpected comes up with my leg.”
And Bruyere is confident the weather will be fine for the walk.
“Anything’s an improvement over last year,” he remarked, when the walkers had to endure winds and heavy rain most of their five-hour trek along the River Road to North American Lumber here in town.
“We’ve definitely had good weather every year we’ve walked, with the exception of last year,” he added. “I haven’t got any complaints. Even if it does rain a bit, I’m not concerned.”
The annual walk, which has raised well over $100,000 for the local renal dialysis program at La Verendrye Hospital, will start at 8 a.m. on the River Road 20 miles west of Fort Frances.
Anyone can participate in the walk by either making a pledge, or collecting their own pledges and walking the 20 miles.
North Air Taxi is providing a complimentary service to bring the walkers to the starting point. Pick-up will be at North American Lumber at 7:15 a.m.
For those who drive to the starting point, a shuttle service will be available to bring vehicles back to Fort Frances. Snacks and refreshments also will be available along the way.
The walk once again will end at North American Lumber, where hotdogs and refreshments will be served courtesy of The Place Fine Foods and McDonald’s Restaurant.
The public is encouraged to come out to North American Lumber tomorrow between 1:30 and 2 p.m. to greet the walkers.
All proceeds from the walk will go towards the renal dialysis program at La Verendrye. Riverside Foundation for Health Care will issue charitable receipts for all donations and pledges over $10.
As well, all those who walk with Bruyere, and anyone who makes a pledge over $10, will be entered in a draw for chance to win either a picnic table donated by North American Lumber or a set of two deck chairs and a table donated by Kish Gon Dug Canada.
Anyone wishing to participate in this year’s walk can contact Bruyere at 274-6221. Get a pledge form online by clicking on “Foundation” at www.riversidehealthcare.ca
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
