A group of students from École secondaire Sieur-de-Coulonge made a triumphant arrival at the Campbell’s Bay RA midday Saturday after walking 60 kilometres overnight to raise money and collect donations for local food bank, Bouffe Pontiac.
The students, who left from ESSC in Mansfield just after noon on Friday, were encouraged by parents, teachers and other supporters on the final stretch along the PPJ as they completed their overnight trek.
According to teacher Martin Bertrand, who helped lead the walk, 17 students completed the entire 60 kilometres from Mansfield to Shawville and then back to Campbell’s Bay. He said the harsh weather and heavy snow accumulation prevented some students from completing the journey.
“Mother Nature made it almost impossible at times. We had a blizzard, then [ . . . ] it was like breaking through the crust on the PPJ,” he said, adding that he was proud of all students for testing their limits on this ambitious journey.
“Some of these students walked 14 hours with blisters over blisters. We tended to them. Some had muscle pulling. I’ve seen a few of them cry. But they all found their bottom, and they found out their bottom is way further than they thought it was.”
The idea for the walk was hatched after the school’s Terry Fox run in September, when students were curious to test how much further they could walk. The original plan was to walk 100 kilometres, turning around in Bristol, but the group decided instead to turn around in Shawville due to the tough wintry conditions.
THE EQUITY caught up with some of the students on Saturday, including Charlie Sauriol, who walked the whole 60 kilometres.
“I’m feeling really proud of myself that I made it through this whole adventure,” she said as she neared the finish line.
Axel Labombard and sister Serenity Labombard were enjoying some much-needed food after completing the overnight walk. Axel said the task wasn’t easy at times due to the cold, and while he felt like giving up around the 55-kilometre mark, he pushed through until the end.
He said he “probably” could have even done 100 kilometres, and said he would do the walk again.
Serenity said she learned a lot about herself throughout the journey, and also about her brother.
“I learned how much I can take, and how much stronger my little brother is,” she said.
Bouffe Pontiac director Kim Laroche was there to welcome the kids at the Campbell’s Bay RA. She said was impressed at the effort and initiative by the kids to support those in need.
“It’s pretty amazing what these kids just did. They surpassed their limits, and all that to raise money for people in need. It’s pretty incredible. People always come out to support Bouffe Pontiac but this kind of event for me is a first,” she said.
Laroche said as of Monday afternoon, the students and school had raised more than $2,500 for Bouffe Pontiac.
Bertrand thanked local businesses for donating to the group’s effort, including La Station Mansfield for Gatorade, Pontiac Home Bakery for donating sweets and the ESSC cafeteria for sandwiches and chili, as well as municipalities for hosting them along the way.
He said he was proud of the kids for pushing through, and this will give them a goal to beat in the future.
“Now we’ve answered the question, how far can we walk in a period of 24 hours? Right now we know it’s 60 kilometers, [but] maybe next time we’ll find out it can be more,” he said.
Anyone who wishes to support Bouffe Pontiac may do so via e-transfer to the email address bouffepontiac@yahoo.fr and password Essc24, or by bringing non-perishable food donations to the organization’s upcoming food drive on Dec. 4.
With files from Sophie Kuijper Dickson.
