This year’s Terry Fox Run is in jeopardy of cancellation unless an organizer steps up.
Sheila Wyse, who has handled the organization of the run for the past two years after the city decided to no longer sponsor it, isn’t able to do it this year after she suffered a heart attack last fall. She’s now putting a call out to the community for someone to take over the responsibility.
“I was contacted by the Terry Fox Foundation to see if I know of anyone who would,” Wyse said. “I’ve talked to a few who have been volunteers and they’re still willing to work, just not oversee it all.
“It could be an individual or a group.”
Wyse said all the groundwork is already laid.
“I have everything all organized … I have an extensive electronic file and other materials that I would pass along,” she said. “Also, I’d be willing to provide advice to anyone if needed.”
This year’s run is slated for Sunday, Sept. 17 and will depart — like last year — from the Seniors Activity Centre due to the pool construction at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex.
“They [at the centre] were wonderful,” Wyse said. “They let us use their facility without any charge whatsoever so that would be ideal to use again.”
And with the support of 91 volunteers at last year’s run, Wyse said it wasn’t a lot to manage.
“The [bantam rep] hockey team came out and they did the water stations,” she said. “They like to volunteer in the community because the community supports hockey so well. Then the Rangers’ young women came out to prepare the food. It’s not a case of the organizer has to do it all. They don’t.
“I think this community is amazing with its support. A lot of people are quite willing to help, the volunteers, but they shy away from doing the actual organizing.”
If anyone is willing to help, or wants more information, they can contact Wyse by calling 250-392-7215 or by e-mailing smwyse@me.com.
