Participants in Norwell District Secondary School’s inaugural Amazing Race took to the streets of Palmerston on April 26.
The event, organized by the Norwell Student Council, was created to raise funds for the Troy McLaughlin Sports Foundation in honour of Troy McLaughlin, who was tragically killed in a car accident in Mapleton in 2014.
Troy’s mother Cindy McLaughlin, the guest speaker for the event, recalled the day that her son died.
“It was October 26, 2014. Troy and I were to go to Anna Mae’s Restaurant for breakfast. We enjoyed a mother- son conversation on the way to the restaurant and forgot that it wasn’t open on Sundays,” McLaughlin said.
“The conversation continued during our trip to Listowel and at the restaurant there. He even opened the car door for me.
“I didn’t know it would be our last mother-son conversation.”
Troy had just purchased a new car and was excited about the pockets in the interior of the car where he could store his wallet. McLaughlin did not know at the time she would need to find his wallet later that night at the accident scene.
The family had just picked up a new puppy.
“Troy loved the puppy and teased me about being an OCD mom who caved and got a dog,” McLaughlin said.
“He laughed, smiled, gave me a huge hug and left to go out.”
There was a brief call to his mother that afternoon from Troy. The next call brought the family the devastating News that Troy had been in a car accident.
“I am truly broke without him. A piece of the family was lost that day. I have to carry on because he would kick my butt for being down,” McLaughlin said.
Out of tragedy comes a silver lining. Five people became recipients of Troy’s organs following the accident.
“One month before the accident Troy had talked about organ donation with me. I was unsure but when he said to me, ‘Mom it’s what I really want to do,’ I told him that I would honour his wishes,” McLaughlin said.
Of the five to receive organs, one 17-year-old girl who had been on the organ donation list for a year was able to use Troy’s kidney and pancreas; two people who were legally blind were able to see; and a newborn baby was given an eye lens.
In Troy’s memory, 954 people signed organ donor cards. The family continues to raise awareness around organ donations.
“Thank you to the organizers and the teams who are involved with the Amazing Race today. The proceeds from the race will benefit the Troy McLaughlin Sports Foundation,” McLaughlin said.
Amazing Race organizers briefed the race participants on the rules. Fourteen teams consisting of two to four members followed clues to businesses in Palmerston that hosted various challenges. Each challenge was to be completed in 15 minutes or a two-minute penalty was assessed.
Seven local businesses hosted challenges for the participants that ranged from decorating cookies at the grocery store to counting and rolling nickels at the bank.
Norwell principal Paul Richard summed up the event stating, “It’s about engaging students with the community and raising an awareness about the Troy McLaughlin Sports Foundation and organ donation.
“We are hoping to make this an annual event.”
