Hike or Bike for Hospice raises more than $180,000

The family of Brian Smith came together Sunday in Brantford to ‘pay it forward’ for the Stedman Community Hospice.

Article content

“My dad (Brian Smith) was a very generous, very giving person and the hospice helped us when we kind of had nothing left,” Hilary Marcotte, Brian Smith’s daughter, said at the Hike or Bike for Hospice fundraiser. “So in our fundraising efforts, we asked our circle of people to pay it forward in his honor and giving spirit.”

Article content

Brian Smith passed away at the Stedman Community Hospice on Sept. 8, 2023.

The St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation named the Smith family this year’s ambassadors.

“When we started fundraising, I didn’t think we anticipated how much support we would get in donations,” said Marcotte. “We kind of set a team goal of around $2,000 and we raised over $10,000. I think that is kind of a testament to Dad on how many people he touched, helped, who were grateful. So this is good way to pay it forward.”

Article content

“There were gentlemen who I had never met before, older than Brian, who said that he was a mentor to them in business and they believed that their success they owed partly to taking his advice, which was really heartwarming for us to hear,” said Brian’s wife, Kathryn Smith, a County of Brant resident.

“Our family utilized the services of the hospice for well over a year before he actually needed the care of the hospice,” Marcotte noted.

Services included access to a palliative outreach team, nurses and doctors who could go to their home as needed.

“One thing that was really meaningful and beneficial to our family was the counseling services,” said Marcotte, noting some difficult conversations were facilitated. “They were fabulous for my parents. My dad felt like he really connected with them.”

Article content

“It was very positive, generally speaking,” Kathryn agreed. “It was probably the hardest ride I’ve ever taken in my life, coming here (the hospice) with Brian. We both wept all the way… and we were received with kindness. Not only was he cared for well, but we felt that we were cared for well.”

More than $180,000 in pledges had been raised by Sunday and a final tally was expected later this week. The 20-year Hike or Bike for Hospice fundraising total has exceeded $3 million.

“We had set a goal of $160,000 in pledges and we did $180,000,” said Julie Powell, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation, noting that total was up from $135,000 raised in 2023. “Big growth in pledges and a big growth in participants. It’s amazing. People are committed to supporting the hospice, so we are very fortunate. We are so grateful for the community support.”

Article content

This year 550 hikers participated, along with about 115 cyclists. There were also 80 volunteers involved. Total participants increased by 250 from last year.

“Today’s event is raising money specifically for Stedman Community Hospice,” said Powell. “The government does fund some hospice, but they don’t fund all of it. Forty per cent of it comes from the community.”

Aaron Barker of Brantford, his family and a few friends walked on Sunday in memory of his father, Bert Barker, died on Dec. 1, 2023.

“Our friends are considered family,” said Aaron, team spokesperson for their ‘Big Red Machine’ team.

His dad had been a huge fan of the Cincinatti Reds baseball team and their team wore red shirts and hats in his memory, and raised nearly $4,750.

Article content

Stedman Community Hospice, its staff and services, are “unbelievable,” said Aaron.

“It’s a magical place here, the level of care, from the volunteers to the full-time staff, the way they treat everyone. Just the support – the ongoing support – they do so much for the families, the patients. We are truly blessed to have that in our community.”

A firefighter in Brantford for many years, Aaron said he knew of the hospice, but his appreciation for Stedman Community Hospice, and its outreach program, grew when he saw it from ‘the other side.’

“I can’t say enough about the staff and the volunteers. His (dad’s) final days were not pleasant, but they made it as much pain-free as they could in his final little marathon there. They are like walking angels.”

[email protected]

Article content