STEPHEN BRUN
The Journal Pioneer
O’LEARY — It’s saying something that Terry Fox’s one-time home away from home found the time to make a stop in rural P.E.I. during a cross-Canada tour.
Darrell Fox brought the refurbished Ford Econoline van that followed his brother during his 1980 Marathon of Hope to O’Leary this week.
It’s part of the cross-country Tour of Hope, which continues Terry Fox’s fundraising efforts for cancer research.
Darrell Fox said O’Leary’s history of supporting the Terry Fox Run — spearheaded by the Ellis family — is what drew the tour there.
“It’s hard to pick and choose when you have an event that happens in virtually every community,” he said.
“We were able to come to O’Leary where it’s a bastion of Terry Fox support.”
O’Leary resident Warren Ellis and his family raised over $38,000 for the Terry Fox Run in 2007 — a figure Ellis hopes to boost to more than $40,000 this year.
Ellis said he was inspired by Fox’s 1980 run and has been fundraising ever since.
“It just brought tears to my eyes when I saw Terry Fox. We participated when the first run was announced and have ever since,” said Ellis. “On the original trip that Terry started, (the van) didn’t come to O’Leary, so we’re very honoured to have it restored and to have it here.
“We’re very impressed.”
Ford of Canada spent over 1,000 labour hours refurbishing the van for it’s trek from St. John’s, N.L. to Victoria, B.C., which ends Sept. 14.
“The run goes beyond the route that Terry took now,” said Fox.
“It will probably still be emotional to see the tour end for sure, especially when you think that what we saw today is going to be repeated many times over until we get to B.C.”
Over 400 people turned out to the O’Leary Scotiabank to see the van and hear from Fox, said bank manager Georgia Ellis, including about 200 from Hernewood school.
Fox said the van generates a lot of interest because of the history associated with it.
“The only way (the tour) would really be complete is if Terry were here, but unfortunately he’s not. So with the van it offers an opportunity to really connect with people I think. This particular vehicle marked every mile that Terry ran. It was there at all times and it was his home away from home.”
| |||
 | |||
A special kind of magic
The sight of the recently renovated Terry Fox van this week in P.E.I. no doubt generated fond memories of the late Canadian hero's passage through the province 28 years ago.Many Islanders had the privilege of seeing or meeting Fox as he made his way through the province during his Marathon of Hope for cancer research. And like many other Canadians, they honour his dream each fall by holding Terry Fox runs to raise money for cancer research. It's their way of keeping his Marathon of Hope alive.
But recently the Fox family was able to track down the 1980 Ford Econoline that was used as Fox's second home during his Marathon of Hope run. And now, newly renovated, it's making its appearance thanks to Darrell Fox, brother of Terry and national director of the Terry Fox Foundation, who has taken the van on the road.
For those who remember Fox passing through their communities, the presence of the van holds a special magic. For those who don't, it's a powerful symbol that can still be used to keep alive the memory and the dream of a nation's hero.
Confederation Bridge to host 30th annual Terry Fox Run
Transcontinental MediaThe Confederation Bridge plans to celebrate the 30th annual Terry Fox Run by inviting everyone to run and walk across the bridge in September, 2010.
This marks the second time the Confederation Bridge has celebrated the Terry Fox Run. In 2005, approximately 14,000 people crossed the 13 kilometre-long bridge for the 25th anniversary of the run. The historic event raised $375,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
Organizers hope friends and families across Canada will make plans over the next two years to meet on Prince Edward Island and celebrate the run together. The goal is to attract a record number of participants and raise funds for cancer research.
The announcement was made as the original 1980 Ford Econoline van that accompanied Terry Fox on his Marathon of Hope departed Prince Edward Island after a week of fundraising events in the province.
With its whereabouts being unknown for the last 28 years, Darrell Fox, Terry's brother and National Director of The Terry Fox Foundation, followed up on a tip and acquired the van that was Terry's home on the road.
Ford of Canada conducted a full restoration on the interior, exterior and powertrain of the vehicle, with the goal of returning the van to its original 1980 state. Work began this April and took more than 1000 labour hours to complete.
The van is now being driven by Fox family members across the country in a nationwide marathon drive called the Tour of Hope, organized with the support of employees of Scotia McLeod. The van will arrive in Victoria, BC to coincide with the start of this year’s annual Terry Fox Run on Sept. 14.
The Run is a non-competitive event where people get together as individuals, families and groups to raise money in Terry’s name. It is a day of celebrating Terry’s legacy and helping to keep his dream of a cure for cancer alive.
Registration for the Confederation Bridge component of the 2010 Terry Fox Run will take place online. Details will be announced at a later date.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=146047&sc=98
Terry Fox Run will be held on Confederation Bridge in 2010
Terry Fox Run will be held on Confederation Bridge in 2010
MIKE CARSON
The Guardian
BORDEN CARLETON — For the second time in five years, the Confederation Bridge will be part of a major fundraising effort to battle cancer.
On Sept. 14, 2010, the Confederation Bridge will be closed to traffic to allow for the 30th annual Terry Fox Run. In 2005, approximately 14,000 people crossed the bridge in the 25th anniversary of the run, raising $375,000 for the Terry Fox Foundation.
“We thought that was unbelievably great so we’re going to do it again,” said Confederation Bridge general manager Michel Le Chasseur.
“We’re going to do it on the Terry Fox 30th anniversary in 2010. We’re announcing this today (Friday) because we want to give plenty of time and plenty of notice not only for Islanders but for all Canadians to join in in this great celebration.”
Darrell Fox, Terry’s brother and national director of the Terry Fox Foundation, was among those gathered at Gateway Village for the announcement. On display was the van Terry travelled in during his historic run.
Fox has been travelling the Island and said now it feels hard to leave P.E.I.
“We’re actually not looking forward to crossing the bridge after five wonderful days,” Fox said. “You can talk about how every province has something to offer in terms of beauty but the people really make the Island.”
Fox said in their travels across the Island they are sharing the van as a way to reconnect with the public.
“It’s been amazing to see how everyone has a Terry Fox story whether it’s from seeing or experiencing Terry in 1980 or participating in a Terry Fox run,” he said.
Le Chasseur said in 2005 the bridge was closed to traffic for about four hours and he expects the same to occur in 2010
“I think this formula worked fairly well so we’re not going to tweak with a good formula,” he said. “The only thing is if we had 14,000 people at that time we’re probably going to have a lot more and where it was four hours the last time maybe it will be an hour more. We’ll see as we go along.”
Le Chasseur said anyone wishing to participate needs to pre-register and there will be a specific website set up at the Terry Fox Foundation portal that will soon be announced.
No comments:
Post a Comment