The fun comes back to the annual Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk with a new starting location and route this year.
On Sunday, May 28, participants will gather at the Simcoe Legion, Branch 79, 200 West Street, Simcoe for an in-person fundraising event.
“There is a lot of fun involved with this,” said walk organizer Dave Horton, who has participated over the last 15-plus years. “Just seeing other people, especially the people that we haven’t seen for three years, it will be fun.”
Doors open at 8:30 am with a light breakfast available. Opening ceremonies are at 10:30 am and the outdoor walk begins at 11 am
Last year about 40 people started at Holy Trinity Catholic School, walked past Simcoe Town Center and the Legion, then back to the school.
This year, the Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk committee has planned a new 5-km route starting at the Legion.
“This year we’re going to go out the front door, turn right… and then end up back at the Legion. It’s mostly through the south part of town.”
After the walk, lunch will consist of pizza, burgers or sausage.
Participants are encouraged to register online at mswalks.ca to begin the pledge process – reaching out to friends and family or making their own donations. Registrants who raise $150 will receive a MS Walk T-shirt. There are different levels of fundraising, said Horton, but any level is acceptable to walk on May 28.
Brantford and Brant County residents are also invited to the Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk in-person or walking in their own neighborhoods.
“We’re trying our best to encourage people to attend, if they will,” said Horton. “Simcoe is sort of the gathering place for Brantford, Delhi, Jarvis, Hagersville, etc.”
Last year a group of 25 gathered under the Cayuga Mutual Insurance banner, walked in Cayuga, and won Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk’s largest team award.
About $30,000 was raised last year.
Those who wish to make a donation to someone walking in the Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk, you can find the participant’s name at mswalks.ca and choose to sponsor them.
The Simcoe-Norfolk MS Walk committee, which is rebuilding in stature after the pandemic, will be reaching out to local businesses seeking sponsorships.
“We’ve had success with that in the past,” said Horton. “We managed to get a half-dozen or so sponsors last year and we’re hoping to interest more sponsors this year.”
Funds will go toward multiple sclerosis research and MS programs.
“We are one of the few volunteer-led MS Walks, especially in Ontario,” Horton noted.
WARMUP BRUNCH
It’s still in the planning stages, but the committee is also hoping to have a pre-walk fundraising ‘warmup brunch’ on May 7 from 8 am to 1 pm at Kaley’s Downtown Restaurant in Simcoe.
“It’s just sort of a little pep rally,” said Horton.
Those attending can choose from three breakfast meal options. Reservations are preferred by calling 226-440-3444 or emailing [email protected].
Horton said the committee is also planning to have an information display at a Wellness Fair at the Simcoe Aud on May 6.
“Doing the walk, doing the Wellness Fair, they are two great ways to keep our face out in the community.”
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