Quesnel, B.C. – Thousands of Canadians will take to walking paths, parks and hiking trails across the country on Sunday to celebrate the 12th annual Hike for Hospice Palliative Care.

The hike is organized as a national event by the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association, but each hike is hosted  locally and raises funds for individual hospice palliative care programs.  Although Prince George does not have an event scheduled, the Quesnel and District Hospice Palliative Care Association does.

Executive Secretary Judy Monych says “we call it Hike for Hospice but it is a walk around the riverfront trail.  It is a 5-kilometre walk and we raise funds to support the ongoing palliative care services in Quesnel and for replacement of furnishings etcetera for the hospice unit in Quesnel.”

In explaining how the funds are raised, Monych says “we invite people to participate in the hike and they get pledges, also make donations and there is a small fee for them to participate.  Adults are $15, students and seniors are $5 and children under six are free.  A free lunch includes hot dogs and chips and things and we provide T-shirts as well for the first 75 participants to register.”  As well the registration fee is waived for participants who raise a minimum $100.00.

Monych says “registration begins at 12pm on Sunday and the hike begins at 1pm at Lebourdais Park in Quesnel.”   And out-of-town participants are more than welcome to sign up for the hike.