CALEB NICKERSON
SHAWVILLE Sept. 14,16, 2018
Over the weekend, Pontiac residents had the chance to get together and raise funds for the fight against cancer.
The first Terry Fox Run in Shawville was held 36 years ago in 1982, two years after Fox started his iconic journey. Pontiac High School (PHS)’s run on Sept. 14 brought out several hundred Panthers to make the trek to Moffat Farm, by bike, rollerblades or the good old heel-toe express.
The school’s top fundraiser from last year, Nathan Kluke, outdid himself this year with a total of more than $1,500. Students were encouraged to show off their school spirit and were treated to a barbeque lunch after they returned from the run.
There were in excess of 100 people townsfolk on Sept. 16 at the Shawville Terry Fox Run. The local Lions had the grill fired up and donated the proceeds to the run.
Just before the assembled crowd took off, organizer John Petty spoke about how much the run means to him.
“Thank you for keeping Terry Fox’s dream alive. It’s because of you people that we’re able to keep this going,” he said. “You motivate Rick Valin and myself and all the volunteers.”
New this year, folks on bicycles had the option of taking a route along the PPJ trail instead of the traditional road course, the result of a partnership with the Friends of Cycloparc PPJ. Organizer Rick Valin assured everyone that a trained bike mechanic with tools and spare parts would be patrolling the course in case anyone had the need.
After a brief word from Pontiac MNA André Fortin and MP Will Amos, everyone was down rue Maple in the blink of an eye. Though the final results had yet to be tallied, the municipal run raised around $5,800. PHS will continue to collecting donations through to the end of September.