The weekend heat wave doesn’t stop community from coming together to hike for a cause

Board members brave the heat with the community at the Stratford Perth Museum to hike for a cause during the 2025 Hike for Hospice event on June 22. With a goal of $130,000, hikers have so far raised $125,000 -- though there is still time to donate. From left to right are Jason Lott, Kelley Jacobs, Louise Lepp, Julie Docker-Johnson, Lucie Stuart, Sarah Hamza and John Brightwell.

Hike for Hospice saw an incredible turnout on June 22. High temperatures were replaced with community spirit and a drive to ensure that loved ones are comfortable in their final days. 

The Stratford community gathered at the Stratford Perth Museum, which featured prizes, beverages, food and live music. The Hike for Hospice fundraiser plays a vital role in raising funds to ensure that Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth continues to provide the quality care for individuals living their final weeks of life. 

“I think today is very much a chance for families and friends to get together to remember a loved one, it’s the love and you can feel it in the air,” said Lucie Stuart, director of fund development and stewardship at the hospice.  

“This spot is lovely. You (see) people who have had the same experience that we have – having lost someone we loved … There is this strong feeling of support.” 

Stuart says that the goal of the event is to make it feel like it's a family friend’s barbeque picnic day, where attendees come together and remember loved ones. Stuart adds that the hospice must raise over a million dollars to continue quality support for their patients.

“We get Ministry of Health funding which only covers the bedside care and covers a portion of the staff’s salary,” said Stuart. “Everything else such as food and necessities and amenities – our goal this year is to reach $130,000 which goes directly to those needs.” 

Julie Docker-Johnson, volunteer and chair of the Hike for Hospice planning committee, said the funds raised at this event is all about getting to the million. 

“It’s all about remembering, acknowledging and feeling the feels,” said Docker-Johnson. 

Stuart adds that the community came together to raise the money to build the hospice and continue to provide support to the ongoing operations. 

“It’s about community,” said Stuart.

Rotary Hospice volunteers Laurie Brown and Bonnie Shackleton have been with the hospice since it started and praise the programming that is provided for the community, explaining that the Hike for Hospice event has grown immensely since its debut 11 years ago. 

This year, the event brought in over $125,000 with donations being accepted until the end of the month.