Terry Fox Run Still Successful
By John Swartz
In the year 2020, when there was no Terry Fox Run in Couchiching Beach Park (at least a show-up-in-person and raise money for cancer research fundraiser) 182 people still participated and raised more than $24,000.
Organizers followed the lead of other groups, particularly musicians, and moved online. This year the virtual event started 1 p.m., a little later in the day than usual. You can view the opening ceremonies online.
People were encouraged to stay in their neighbourhoods to walk, run or ride as they might have other years in Couchiching Beach Park. Despite no official event on the waterfront, Paul Wortley didn’t want to end his 40-year consecutive participation medal (figuratively) disappear. He and friend, John Patterson, enjoyed the waterfront trails anyway.
An 11 year streak of raising the equivalent of $1 or more for every resident in Orillia won’t continue, but one has to admire they still got enough to account for two thirds of Orillians with less than half participating than in 2019 (553). Organizers believe when all the accounting is done, they will pass the $800,000 mark in total amount raised over the years.
(Photo Submitted) Paul Wortley has never missed participating in the Terry Fox Run.