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Quesnel RBC happy to help hospice

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Quesnel RBC manager Norman Cooper laces up his shoes as he prepares for Sunday's Hike for Hospice.

With 75 per cent of the local Royal Bank staff planning to participate in Hike for Hospice, May 1, branch manager Norman Cooper is pleased with their enthusiasm and commitment.

The fundraiser hike was first conceived in Quesnel in April 2001 as a way to raise money for a proposed hospice facility in the community.

The following year, BC Hospice Palliative Care Association adopted Hike for Hospice and in 2003 the hike became a national event of the Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.

RBC’s Simon Turner, who has participated in Hike for Hospice for the past four years as part of the RBC team, isn’t surprised a local organization set the tone for the whole country.

“I’m inspired by the community and the Hospice Palliative Care Association,” he said.

“They’re not prepared to just wait for someone else to do it, they get involved and get it done.”

RBC Foundation pledged $1,000 if local branches secured the commitment of at least 10 staff members  participating.

Quesnel branch have registered 14 staff members and most will bring family and friends to help fundraise.

In addition to the annual support for Hike for Hospice, RBC Foundation awarded the Quesnel association a $10,000 donation for equipment needs in 2008.

Cooper said Hike for Hospice strikes a chord with RBC staff.

“Each year they vote which nonprofit organization they want to support,” he said.

“Hike for Hospice, along with several other events are top of their list. We usually do four or five events a year.

“RBC is a very good example of employees getting involved in what matters to the community.”

Turner added although the hospice unit is up and running, palliative care still has ongoing needs for the unit.

“Northern Health looks after the medical, but Palliative Care looks after the emotional,” he said.

Turner added he’s passionate about hospice.

“I look at the volunteers involved, who have been committed for a very long time,” he said.

“If walking the Riverwalk once a year helps them achieve their goals, I’m happy to participate and encourage others to do the same.”

Cooper agreed adding, “this issue will touch just about everyone’s life at some point.”

There’s still time to join the hike. Registration is Sunday at 12 p.m. in LeBourdais Park and the hike begins at 1 p.m.

“We call it a hike but really it’s a stroll around the Riverfront Trail,” Hospice Palliative Care Association executive secretary Judy Monych said.

“And we have prizes.”

The cost for participants is $15, which includes a T-shirt, and $5 for students and seniors. The event is free to children under six.

Hot dogs, water, coffee, tea and hot chocolate as well as cookies are also provided.

“Our goal is to raise $5,000,” Monych said.

“We are pleased the City of Quesnel is supporting this event and have declared

May 1 – 7 Palliative Care Awareness

Week.”

Other Hike for Hospice sponsors include Cariboo Observer, Clayton’s Funeral Directors 1981 Ltd., Shaw Cable and national sponsors Glaxo Smith Kline Foundation and Bayshore Home Health.

“We are also grateful to the RBC Foundation for supporting their staff by donating a community action grant of $1,000,” she said.

“RBC is encouraging other business in Quesnel to do the same.”

Monych said they’re raising funds to support the association’s ongoing expenses for the Hospice Palliative Care Unit at Dunrovin Park Lodge.

“Last year we were able to add a deck and a garden to the unit and we’re still planning on adding a roof in the future so will continue to fundraise.”