PARKSVILLE — Friends of Parksville’s Forward House are hoping to walk to the Maritimes by Thanksgiving. Luckily, according to their pedometers, they are currently heading into Quebec on their 7,314 km virtual journey from the Island to St. John’s, Newfoundland.
People are wearing pedometers, donated by Pharmasave, as they walk around the local area every day and track the estimated 12 million steps needed to raise money and awareness for Forward House which provides mental health and addictions recovery services.
They are still looking for people to sponsor participants, said executive director Carol Richardson who updated the walkers progress.
As of Sept. 23, “despite the heat, tornadoes, hurricanes and holiday traffic,” she said, the 17 participants had walked over 4,700 km in eight weeks led by Ida Colyn and Patrick Delorie who together have logged well over 700 km.
“We don’t know how far we’ll get, but we hope to at least clear Quebec,” she said. “We are very please with community support so far, and we ask for new supporters to help us reach our goal.”
Anyone wishing to sponsor a walker can call 250-954-0785. Tax receipts are available for pledges over $20.