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Hike for Hospice brings friends together and raises $5,700

October 20, 2015

By Jim Eadie

A horde of walkers departed from the Village Playhouse in Bancroft for a half hour walk north along the York River on Oct. 4, and it wasn’t just for the exercise.
“I am here remembering my best friend Gale Anderson,” said Joanne Hughey. We used to walk every single day … long walks … sometimes around Dark Lake and back. Winter or summer!”
The women were next-door neighbours in the Wilberforce area for many years.
“She was the best friend I ever had. She would say exactly what she thought! I had to come here today to remember her.”
Hughey was participating in the annual Hike for Hospice House.
A large contingent of Gale Andersons family were also walking, suitably dressed in special “Charm Team” T shirts with their mom’s/grandma’s picture on the back. The family members completed their walk and then diverted to the Hospice House on Bridge St. where Gale Anderson had died over a year ago.
“Mom was a firecracker,” agreed two of her daughters, Lynn Waugh, and Jennie Anderson. “She always said that when it was her time, this is where I want to go,” they remembered, referring to Hospice House.”
Following all you can eat chili, it was announced that $5,700 had been raised this year. The money raised will be used for programs that support caregivers.
Three teams of walkers raised over $1,000 and were eligible for the draw for a week stay at a lovely Prince Edward Island cottage next summer. Winner of the draw was the Anderson family “Charm Team.”
“Thank you, thank you,” said Waugh, as the family in tears cheered and hugged. “You guys are like angels.”