By Mandy Parker

I run for those who can’t.

It started 6 ½ years ago, a challenge from a friend, twenty-five years my senior.

I’d never run in my life, well maybe a couple of times, once in Grade 7 and once in university…that was it. I certainly wasn’t a runner.

He said “if I can do it so can you.” Could I? The challenge was on, the double challenge.

We were running and raising pledges for the residents at Mount St. Mary. That first year, our team consisted of seventeen people including our team captain, Sister Lucy DuMont and together we raised $17,133.

And now, six years later, I guess I can call myself a runner.

Mandy Parker running a marathon in 2008.

I’ve run four half marathons and two marathons, and together with our team we’ve raised enough to buy an exercise trainer, 14 mattresses, 10 beds, 1 mattress pump, 32 commodes and $40,000 towards the endowment fund, to sustain the future of programs at Mount St. Mary…that’s $200,000 for equipment and programs that will enrich the lives of the residents at Mount St. Mary Hospital.

I asked a resident what it means to have a group of committed runners, walkers and volunteers raising money to buy equipment for them, “It’s emotional. To have someone who cares enough to spend the time training and to ask their friends and family to support people they hardly know,” says Kay. “I’m so thankful.”

This year, pledge collectors for Mount St. Mary are running, walking and raising pledges in honour or in memory of a resident.

Personally, I’m running in honour of Fern who is 94 years.

Fern came to Mount St. Mary after her husband Dick was no longer able to look after her at home. Fern’s favourite thing about living at the Hospital is the gardens; she loves to go for “walks” in her wheelchair. Dick takes her around the circular path in Mount St. Mary’s garden, because it reminds her of the gardens near the University of Victoria where they used to live.

I want to ensure Fern and all of the residents have an enriched quality of life while living at Mount St. Mary. They deserve it.

By supporting Mount St. Mary Foundation in the GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon, you are the need for equipment and programs at Mount St. Mary Hospital which will enrich the quality of life of the 200 residents.

Mandy’s story is just one of many at this year’s race. The GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon has four official charities: KidSport Greater Victoria, Raise A Reader, GoodLife Kids and the Kilee Patchell-Evans Autism Research Group.

In addition, the race has partnered with 22 other charities through the Times Colonist Pledge Program with a goal of raising $500,000.

For more information and to make a donation to any of the charities, click here. -  Denise Helm