Glendale crosses $100K mark for Terry Fox

Students and teachers raced each other in plasma cars as this year’s event in the annual student-teacher competition that’s part of the run. (Jeff Helsdon Photo).

Jeff Helsdon, Editor

Glendale High School just passed a huge milestone in regard to the funds it has raised for the Terry Fox Run. The funds from this year’s students brought the school’s total raised over the $100,000 threshold.

In 1980, Terry Fox set out on his cross-country marathon from St. John’s, NL, to raise money for cancer research. The journey is made even more incredible because he had one prosthetic leg, losing his leg below his knee due to cancer. Although he had to quit his run due to the cancer spreading, his vision lives on through the annual Terry Fox Run held across the country.

The first run was held in 1981, and Glendale started to participate in 1989.

Student Success Teacher Brett Ferguson, who has been organizing the run since 2017-2018, said the town has raised $450,000 through the Terry Fox Run over the years.

“To me, for one school to raise almost a quarter of that, it’s impressive,” he said.

The present format of the run has the students run and walk twice around the football field. Some sort of fun teacher vs. student competition followed, with this year being a plasma car race. The losers end up getting whipped cream pies in the face from the winners. Past events have included a dodge ball competition and running race.

Fundraising is done through a variety of formats. Students can purchase T-shirts or buy hotdogs and hamburgers from the barbecue. Donations from Sobeys and Norpac help boost the profits. Students can also participate in Toonies for Terry.

“If each student brought a toonie, we’d be raising $1,600,” Ferguson said.

Prior to this year’s fundraising commencing, the school had raised $99,353 since 1989. The goal of raising $1,000 would put them over the top and was achievable. The final tally was $750, which put the total over $100,000.

“It's an impressive accomplishment for the students at Glendale High School to reach the $100,000 donation point, especially on the 45th Anniversary of the national Terry Fox Run,” said principal Melissa McKibbin. “Glendale students, past and present, should be proud of their collective efforts in supporting such a worthy and important cause.”

“Glendale should be extremely proud of their continued commitment to the Terry Fox Foundation while celebrating the legacy that Terry Fox has left behind for us to continue,” Ferguson said. “Reaching the $100,000 fundraising mark over the past 28 years is an exciting milestone and we hope to raise thousands more in the future. For a smaller school, we are thrilled to have made a considerable impact.”

Ferguson volunteered to take over as event organizer after the retirement of Lloyd Renken, who held that role previously. He wanted to see the continuation of Terry Fox fundraising from elementary school to adulthood through the secondary school.

“He’s a fantastic role model for the students,” Ferguson said. “Doing something as a school to support the greater community is important as well.”