Papa Walks 4 Kids

Russell Mackay, Papa to many, has a big heart for kids.  He plans to walk from our hometown of Beachburg in the Ottawa Valley to the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa. That's 125 km in 10 days.  While this would be an ambitious goal for anyone, Russell makes it even more inspirational as he is 82 years old, legally blind and diabetic. 

Why? When he was losing his sight about 15 years ago, he started going to an eye specialist in Ottawa attached to CHEO. Seeing the sick children always touched his heart and he vowed he would do what he could to help.  

As his neighbours will attest, since moving into Beachburg from our farm, Papa walks up and down the village sidewalks religiously every day.   He's decided to take that walk on the road to Ottawa to help raise money for CHEO.  We will have a trailer and a convoy to walk with him. Many laughs and stories will be shared along the way, all with heart for the cause.  

Papa is doing the walking and has committed to match the first $5000 you donate to get this kickstarted. He will be walking starting August 24th from Beachburg via River Road into Arnprior, by Carp and into Ottawa via Terry Fox Drive and Carling Avenue with the goal to arrive Thursday, September 3rd.  See the daily maps and follow the journey on the Papa Walks 4 Kids Facebook event page. 

UPDATE: We are so happy to share with you that Papa crushed that fundraising goal of $25,000 by the end of Day One!  Let's keep building on this incredible start to really create a stir with a BIG cheque on September 3rd! 

What can you do to help?   #PapaWalks4Kids  #Hero4CHEO   Join us. Help spread the word. Donate today and let's shatter his fundraising goals!

Corporate Partners:  Do you have a business or organization that operates in the Ottawa Valley? Silver Sponsor of the Day:  $500+   Gold Overall Event Sponsor: $1000+

Join in with some corporate support and get some great recognition on the 10 day journey to Ottawa!  Email sherriemackay54@yahoo.ca to become a #PapaWalks4Kids partner.

Join us anywhere along the walk and particularly for the kickoff and arrival parties: 

KICKOFF:  Monday, August 24th departing Beachburg Public School at 8:00 a.m.   

Join us with your noisemakers and best cheers for kickoff from the school up the main street of Beachburg.  

NOTE:  Please respect social distancing measures and stay 6 feet apart, which should make a good parade! 

ARRIVAL:  Thursday, September 3rd arriving at CHEO approximately 12:30 p.m.  

Departing the park near Heron Road/Riverside Drive at 10:30 a.m. walking 5 km to CHEO via parktrails and then Smyth Road.  Cheque presentation at approximately 1:00 p.m.