Running for wishes

The moment this year’s Wish Child Chelsea Hennigar cut the ribbon at Falmouth Elementary School June 12, a rush of runners emerged, ready to fill the streets of downtown Windsor and collect donations for the Children's Wish Foundation.

This is the third year the school’s running club has joined members of the HMCS Halifax for their annual Run for Wishes, which has made dreams come true for 17 children with life-threatening illness.

The team visited as many businesses as possible en route to the Hants County Exhibition Grounds, stopping briefly only to catch their breath. “This is one of the best running crews I've ever seen. They’re not the least bit reluctant,” said Petty Officer Boyd Langdon. “They just have so much energy.”

And it’s no wonder students breezed through the area so quickly. The team, which consists of more than 40 Grades 4-6 students, prepares all year for the run. “They just love to go,” said teacher Caroline Wheaton. Part of the team’s mandate, she points out, is to give back to the community by participating in Run for Wishes each year. “We spend the first part of the year teaching students how to take care of themselves,” said vice principal Brenda Newcomb,” the second half they learn how to take care of other.”

Hants West MP Chuck Porter was on hand to greet the runners at the finish line and congratulate them for a job well done. “It's really great that they do this; they should be proud.”

Several students from Avon View High School met them en route with donations, and a number chose to walk the remainder of the run as a show of support.

This was the fourth day on the road for the HMCS Halifax crew, who left Yarmouth Monday morning to make their way to the Falmouth School.

They continued on from Windsor to home base in Halifax. Each year, the crew runs across Nova Scotia in support of their charity of choice, the Children's Wish Foundation.