After months of planning, a fundraising event to support healthcare for babies and young kids in our region saw more than 1,000 participants between two locations.
Mallory and Dave Holmes,the organizers of “Charlee’s Run” say they’ve had trouble finding the words to thank everyone who helped make the event happen.
“There have been countless tears as we let the significance of the day sink in,” they say. “The names, the dates, the messages, the hugs. Each and every one of them has etched itself onto our hearts.”
The run, a charity race to raise awareness for infant loss, has been held annually in Orillia since 2016.
This year, an event was also held in our community at Kemptville’s Ferguson Forest Centre on Saturday, May 7th, raising money for the Winchester District Memorial Hospital.
The Holmes family says our community raised more than $23,000, on top of Orillia runners raising more than $100,000 for their local hospital.
They’re thanking everyone who took part in the event, and also have a message for their late daughter, Charlee, who’s death in 2011 inspired the run.
“We miss you as much today as we did 11 years ago,” they say. “We love you and are proud to call ourselves mom and dad.”