Despite the warm early morning temperatures on July 27, walkers gathered to show their support and raise money for Carlyle’s second annual Walk to end ALS.
The Carlyle Sports Arena held tables loaded with prizes for the raffle and silent auction, t-shirts for those walking, and a registration table loaded with breakfast snack items.
Outside a large tent erected by the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) was a state-of-the-art kitchen trailer, where volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church in Oxbow prepared for lunch. The RRT consisted of 30 volunteers, who stepped up and ran raffle ticket sales, registration tables and water stations. They also manned the barbecue, cooking burgers and hotdogs, and assisted in any way they could.
Deb Fischer, one of the organisers of the event, said they were contacted by the RRT group earlier this year and were grateful for both the help and the peace of mind having all of the positions filled without having to beat the bushes for volunteers.
The walk began with the release of purple helium-filled balloons, and then the group headed east on Mountain Avenue to First Street West. Once at Coteau Avenue they turned east, walking to Main Street, following the route south to the first water station at Carlyle Avenue.
The next water station at Fourth Street East marked the option to turn south and add an extra kilometre by following the walking path, or head north to the corner of Souris Avenue. From that water station, participants walked west to the top of Second Street West where the final water station was located. Then it was a short leg south to the rink, where lunch awaited.
All the money donated for lunch went straight into the fundraiser, thanks to the generosity of the RRT, who donated all the food and drinks.
Also, for $5 people could press a plate of whipped cream into the face of their favourite firefighter or ALS volunteer. It was sweet for both the pie-er or the pie-ee.
Total funds raised have not been tabulated as of yet, but will be announced when received.
