Powell River Hospice Society’s (PRHS) 2022 Walk, Run and Hike for Hospice fundraising event takes place May 8 to 15 this year, to raise money for the society, and one hospice volunteer is going to hike the Sunshine Coast Trail.
In an interview with the Peak, Janet Kenmuir said she would start tackling the trail on May 2 and hike with her friend and colleague Katie Warren.
“I’m so excited,” said Kenmuir.
She said she talked to the water taxi company in Lund and arranged transportation to Sarah Point. The walkers will be taken free to Sarah Point and there are 10 available spots on the water taxi, so donors to the hike for hospice who want to go for a walk on the trail that day can ride along. Those wanting to donate to Kenmuir's team can go to the PRHS website at prhospice.org, click on the walk, run and hike for hospice banner and enter Janet and Jodie (another colleague of Janet’s) in the search engine.
Kenmuir said she is tackling the Sunshine Coast Trail because she thought it would be a good way to raise a lot of money for PRHS. She is an avid hiker and is getting prepared for her walk, getting her kit together for the excursion. She said she expects to complete the hike by May 11, staying in the huts along the way. She said she was up at Tin Hat Mountain recently and there was lots of snow, so she is going to take her snowshoes.
Kenmuir said she has volunteered with the hospice society since 2017 and that it’s an amazing organization. She said she was first introduced to hospice in Richmond when her grandmother was passing away and she spent time with her in the hospice.
“After she passed, I thought that I needed to get into it,” said Kenmuir. “Hopefully, one day, we’ll have a hospice facility here.”
This event is PRHS’s primary annual fundraiser, and all monies raised go toward society operations and delivery of programs and services to the entire community. The hospice doesn’t receive any government funding, and all of its programs are supported through the generous donations of community members, according to a media release.
“We could not function without our volunteers, and Janet is going above and beyond with her determination to raise both awareness of and funds for the operation of hospice,” stated Cathy Fisher, president of the hospice society.
The event is taking place virtually for the second year in a row.
“Keeping the walk, run and hike for hospice in a virtual format for another year gives our participants the opportunity to take part from the safety of their homes and in smaller social or work groups,” added Fisher. “This is a great opportunity to help raise money for an organization that provides valuable services to the community and to get some exercise and fresh air in the process. Participants can walk when they want, where they want again this year, rather than gathering in a large group as we’ve done in the past.”
This year’s fundraising goal is $20,000. Participants can register to walk, run or hike any time during the week starting May 8. Kenmuir decided to start early.
“We anticipate that many workplaces will once again form teams, and have heard rumours of a few teams offering a friendly challenge to other workplaces,” stated Fisher. “We encourage you to get together with your colleagues, your family or your friends to walk together in support of hospice.”
The community-based, non-profit hospice society offers social, emotional and spiritual support to individuals at the end of their lives, supports family and friends in grief and bereavement, and is committed to providing education and advocacy throughout the community, according to the release. PRHS is a registered charity that provides these services free of charge to everyone in qathet Regional District, including City of Powell River and Texada Island, as well as Tla’amin Nation.
To participate or make a donation go to prhospice.org.
