On Sunday May 6, volunteers and community supporters from Castlegar will participate in the ninth Annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care, hosted by the Castlegar Hospice Society. The hike starts at Kinsman Park with registration at 10 a.m. and the hike beginning at 11 a.m.
“The Hike for Hospice Palliative Care has three main goals: fundraising, awareness of hospice palliative services and recognition of hospice staff and volunteers,” explained Executive Director Suzanne Lehbauer. “Hospice hikers help us in achieving them all. Not only do they raise funds needed for hospice palliative care programs and services in our community but they also help raise awareness of those programs and services.”
This annual event helps to shine a spotlight on the valuable work done by hospice palliative care volunteers and professionals across the country. “I am in awe of the extraordinary care, compassion and understanding provided by the hospice palliative care community. I will never forget the care that was given to both my parents,” stated Peter Mansbridge, Honorary Chair of the Hike for Hospice Palliative Care and national Hospice Palliative Care Week.
Hike for Hospice is a national event with thousands of participants across Canada. The Hike coordinated nationally with financial support from founding sponsor The GlaxoSmithKline Foundation and compassion level sponsor Bayshore Home Health, allowing 100 per cent of the funds raised in local communities to remain there. Last year over $1 million was raised nationally for hospice palliative care programs and services in 99 different locations. Funds raised in this years Hike by Castlegar Hospice Society will be used to continue to provide essential hospice and bereavement support and services as well as work towards Castlegar Hospice establishing a regional hospice facility.