Local MS Walk nears $1 million raised

Kathy Smith, left, joined Nancy and Larry Lester to walk in the 25th Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk on May 25 in Simcoe. 

By Chris Abbott

Editor

Nancy and Larry Lester of Tillsonburg walked in their 27th MS Walk on May 25, joining the 25th Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk in Simcoe.

This year, soon to be 74-year-old Nancy projected her fundraising total to be about $9,000, with a chance to reach $10,000. She is nearing the quarter million mark since her first MS Walk.

“At the beginning of this year, it was $233,000,” her husband Larry noted. “And she wants to make $250,000 by next year.”

“That’s my goal,” Nancy nodded. “I might make it yet this year, it’s hard to say.”

“She’ll be 75 and she wants to retire,” Larry added with a smile.

Donations can be made to Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk participants up to four weeks after May 25.

“This is really close to my heart and I’ve got a lot of supporters,” said Nancy, who was diagnosed with MS at the age of 47 and started walking in London because she was first treated there.

“The first year we did this in London, we saw what the top fundraiser had raised,” said Larry. “I said, ‘I think we can do that.’ So we did. So we have been looking for that $10,000 plateau every year.”

In recent years, Nancy and Larry have been walking in the Simcoe-Norfolk event because they have family in the area. On the 25th, they planned to walk the 2-km route.

“Unless I get really energetic,” Nancy laughed. “No, I’m going to say 2km.”

Brenda Walraven, from the village of Boston, captained the new MSing Around team in honour of her son Travis Clarkson, 30, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

“He was having issues with mobility and his ankle, to the point where he couldn’t even really walk. They did a bunch of testing, thinking it was his spine, narrowed it down… and it was MS. It was a shock.

“It’s awesome here today,” said Walraven at the Legion preparing for the 5-km MS Walk, although she said the 2-km might be a better option. “A lot of enthusiasm in the room.”

“Great energy today,” said David Horton, chair of the Grand Erie chapter of the MS Society of Canada and organizer of the 25th Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk.

“I know that the dollar value we have raised is getting very close to our target,” said Horton. “And by the end of the day when we finish counting, and in another month, I think we’ll be there.

“The weather couldn’t be better today,” Horton smiled. “Lucky people.”

More than 1,600 volunteers contributed to MS Walks across the country on May 25, said Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk volunteer Robin Beasley.

“Your energy, kindness and commitment has created the welcoming and supportive atmosphere that defines MS Walks,” said Beasley.

“You are part of something bigger,” said Alan Duthie, Ward 5 Councillor, speaking to participants on behalf of Mayor Amy Martin and Norfolk County Council. “Almost 25 years in the making, almost $1 million is pretty incredible. So thank you for that.”

Duthie noted the 2025 Simcoe-Norfolk Walk was on track to raise more than $50,000.

“It’s just wonderful. Bravo, thank you for being here. It’s such an important cause and I look forward to seeing the results.”

Haldimand-Norfolk MPP Bobbi Ann Brady also thanked the organizers and all of the participants.

“Thank you! Thank you for putting one foot in front of the other to raise those monies so necessary for the vital research to help slow the progression of MS,” said Brady, “and I am confident that all of this passion and all of this hard work will one day have us coming together to celebrate the cure… and I can’t wait for that day.

“We all have family, friends who are afflicted with MS, and we know how difficult those days can be, not only for that person, but for their family. As they say, ‘it always takes a village’ and coming together and showing that support for the families that we love so much and those 90,000 people across Canada is so very important.

“Almost $1 million in 25 years is indeed something to celebrate, but I do look forward to that day when we can celebrate the cure,” Brady concluded. “Until then, get out there, enjoy the sunshine.”

Chris@granthaven.com