Terry Fox Run gets equine twist in Balgonie
For more than 25 years a woman in Balgonie, Sask. has been hosting an annual fundraiser for cancer research around the Terry Fox Run, with a new twist on the event.
On April 12, 1980, Terry Fox set out on his cross-country run to raise money and awareness for cancer research leading to the creation of annual runs held across the country, but on Wina Lechner’s farm, horses will go the distance for the cause.
Lechner holds a Terry Fox Equestrian Trail Ride every year, where people can bring their horses and ride the route or jump in a wagon.
This year there were three wagons at the event, two pulled by horses and one by a tractor, alongside around 40 horses.
Lechner said people look forward to the event every year, asking for the date as early as June
The day typically starts at 1 p.m. then ends with a potluck dinner back at the farm.
A family affair, the kids were excited to get out on the trail and take in the countryside from either a hose or the wagon.
"Sometimes little kids they just want to give some out of their own pockets, so that's why it's a small amount of two or three dollars or five dollars whatever it will be," said Lechner.
She collects donations from participants at the end of the ride to be put towards cancer research. Lechner said donations rang from one or two dolrs from the kids up to $100.
After years of this event at her current farm, and in the past hosting a couple of rides in Fox’s name at Wascana Lake, Lechner has never participated in a Terry Fox Run.
"I never have done that before, the run, so I thought it would be kind of fun to do that on horseback," said Lechner, adding everyone enjoys getting together year after year for the event.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.