Stepping up for the 26th Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk
- 14 hours ago
- 3 min read
Chris Abbott
Editor
The Norfolk County and area community stepped up for the 26th annual Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk in Simcoe on Sunday.
“We’ve got 97 registered walkers, and 13 teams, and as of this morning we have raised $46,752 plus and I am sure by the end of the day it’s going to reach our goal ($55,000),” said David Horton, lead for the Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk volunteers, and this year’s top individual fundraiser.
Walkers registered individually and as teams – many returning from past events, and many committing to future MS Walks.
“I think the teams challenge each other,” Horton smiled, nodding toward a room full of walkers at the Simcoe Legion. “They don’t know each other, but they challenge each other to become the top fundraising team, the largest team, or the most spirited team, or something like that. It’s really what makes it special.”
“No matter how move along the path today, you are moving us closer to our single, powerful goal – a world free of MS,” said emcee Robynn Beazley before the 2-km and 5-km walks. “Over the last few decades we have seen extraordinary progress in helping understand, diagnose and how we treat MS. This progress has led to decreased symptoms and to people living longer, healthier lives, giving them more time with family and friends. But we are far from done…”
“It says something about this community when we show up for others,” said Haldimand-Norfolk MP Leslyn Lewis. “It says that when something matters to us, people respond. Across Canada, over 90,000 people are living with multiple sclerosis, and in our country we are noted as one of the highest MS in the world. That means for many here today it isn’t an abstract concept, it’s personal. It’s a friend, it’s a family member, it’s a parent, it’s a brother, it’s a sister, and it’s a neighbour. MS is so unpredictable. It changes day to day and moment to moment. And yet, what we see here today is something stronger than uncertainty. We see the determination and the support of the community…”
“It’s so wonderful to see so many familiar faces again for our annual MS Walk,” said MPP Bobbi Ann Brady. “This year’s theme, For the Cause, For the Community, For Loved Ones, truly captures why I am so proud to call this area home. We’ve always looked out for one another and today is yet another example of that – heart and determination that makes Norfolk County so special.
“I know that so many of us here have a personal connection to this cause,” said Brady. “While the diagnosis of MS may be one of life’s most difficult moments, the true courage lies in facing the daily obstacles that follow, while trying to move forward with a strength and determination that we know so well. So whether you are walking for a loved one, yourself, or someone you’ve never met, you are making that difference. Every step today is a sign of our hope, our strength and our commitment to one another. The steps that we are taking are literally changing lives…”
Norfolk County Deputy Mayor Adam Veri brought greetings from the county council, saying Norfolk County sees all the efforts “that people are putting in to make to make your community better, to protect the people they care about, to help them live a better life, and I’m really grateful and truly proud, and say thank you…”
Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk award winners included Rookie of the Year (Lisa Van Laecke), Biggest Team (Marie’s Walking Wonderfuls), Most Team Spirit (Heart & Soul), Top Fundraising Individual (David Horton), and Top Fundraising Team (Mary Jane’s Marchers).
Randy Halmo, Classy FM, was the event DJ, and Wanda from Effective Fitness led the warmup. Heart & Soul raised spirits with their rendition of Try a Little Kindness by Glen Campbell.
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