Hundreds to partake in Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser walk Saturday

Hundreds to partake in Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser walk Saturday
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Hundreds of locals in Victoria and on the West Shore will be taking to the streets on Saturday to partake in a fundraiser that puts an emphasis on homelessness.

Our Place Society and Pacific Centre Family Services Assn (PCFSA) have teamed up to host the 2022 Coldest Night of the Year charity walk, which is focused on raising awareness and funds to help serve those hungry and homeless.

Two simultaneous walks will be held in Victoria and the West Shore, as part of a grander, national campaign.

The idea of the event, being held in communities across the country on Saturday, Feb. 26, is to give participants a glimpse into what it’s like spending the night outdoors.

The marches are scheduled to begin around 5 p.m. outside of Our Place in downtown Victoria and at Starlight Stadium in Langford with participants walking along a five-kilometre course.

As of Saturday morning, the Victoria event is expected to see around 470 walkers over 63 teams while the West Shore event is expected to see nearly 200 participants on 38 teams.

“Let’s do our part and take a safe and healthy walk while reflecting on how far we’ve come, but also on how far we have to go,” said MP Laurel Collins in a video message to the community.

Our Place says that there will be family-friendly activities both before and after the walk and participants can expect warm food and drink at stations along both routes.

The Vancouver Island walk went virtual in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Our Place says over $150,000 was raised.

The charity organization believes that number can be beaten in 2022, noting it is not too late to get involved.

More information about this year’s walk can be found online here.

 

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