103-year-old Oak Bay veteran reaches halfway mark in fundraiser walk

A 103-year-old Oak Bay resident and veteran was joined by members of the Oak Bay Fire Department as he reached several milestones in his fundraising walk Friday morning.

“Halfway with the laps, and over halfway with the target cash point now,” John Hillman said.

For the past three years, Hillman has been completing laps around the courtyard of Carlton House of Oak Bay, the independent living facility he is a resident of to fundraise for Save the Children Canada.

This year, his fundraising efforts will go to support those impacted by the conflict in Ukraine.

His goal is to walk 103 laps around the courtyard and raise $103,000.

Hillman, who was born in England but has been living in Canada for the past 22 years, says he has been getting support from all over.

“I’ve just had a message to say that somebody in Australia is following us on the BBC,” Hillman said. “We did contact the BBC in England, but we didn’t get any reply from them, but having heard that has made me feel right on top of the world.”

The fundraising goal is also past the halfway mark, which Hillman is happy to see.

“I am amazed at the generosity of the Canadian people,” Hillman said. “And they put me on Instagram this year, and that has obviously helped. And I’m hoping that I can go on for a couple more years yet.”

For Hillman’s schedule, he plans to take the weekend off, then wrap up his remaining laps next week.

“I’m looking forward to having two days rest and then having another go next week,” he said.”

You can find Hillman’s fundraising page to donate here.

READ MORE: 103-year-old Oak Bay war veteran begins fundraising walk for children in Ukraine

Editorial Policies Report an Error