With pledges from the community, hikers participating in the now-annual Hike for Hospice on Sunday will raise awareness and funds for hospice and palliative care in Powell River.
The casual hike, now in its second year, will take place along Willingdon Beach Trail with a barbecue and events at the beach afterwards, bringing the community together to support end-of-life care.
“It’s a wonderful event,” says Powell River Hospice Society coordinator Sandy McCartie. “There’s something about people who are interested in hospice and palliative care; there’s a lot of caring, love, compassion and support.”
Hike for Hospice is run by the local society in coordination with Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, which oversees runs in thousands of communities across Canada every year on the first Sunday in May. The hike is a chance for those interested or dealing with end-of-life issues to network and come together for a common cause.
“People interested in hospice are really great people to hang out with,” says McCartie, “and events like this just mean more people are paying attention to those issues.”
Powell River is an older community than the BC average, so that makes it more aware of and open to discussing end-of-life issues, says McCartie.
“People want their final days here to be good, and they want to have good deaths, for lack of a better term,” says McCartie, “and they also want to see their family members supported in their grief.”
Pledge forms for the hike are available at Base Camp, Ecossentials, Family Tree Health, The Medical Clinic Associates, The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, Save-On-Foods and Shoppers Drug Mart. Hikers can also register at Willingdon Beach the day of the event, starting at 1 pm.
The hike is open to all ages and abilities. Warmup for the hike starts at 2 pm and the hike begins at 2:15 pm. A hot dog barbecue by Powell River Lions Club and entertainment follows the event, starting at 3 pm.
“Last year was our first hike because we were a new society,” says McCartie, “so we’re hoping it will be even bigger this year.”
Hike for Hospice
When: 1-5 pm, Sunday, May 1
Where: Willingdon Beach
Price: Free
Info: prhospice.org/hike-for-hospice
