MOUNT FOREST – Local resident Bill Dineen remembers watching Terry Fox during his Marathon of Hope in 1980. And 44 years later, he continues to keep his legacy alive.
“The Lions Club kind of adopted it and have been spearheading it for 30 some years now,” Dineen told the Community News.
He became chair of the local run and has seen the event go through many ups and downs.
Dineen explained the run has gone “downhill” after the COVID-19 pandemic, noting only 10 people actually come and do the run.
As schools have continued to do their own runs, not many families want to come out and participate elsewhere.
“I set up at No Frills and Foodland and I take donations,” he added.
“If anybody wants to come and do the run or walk around the block, it’s kind of like on your own.”
Dineen has been taking it upon himself to keep the run alive, but is hopeful next year the run will gain some new volunteers who will “rejuvenate it a bit.”
On Sept. 15 Dineen will set up in the Foodland parking lot at 503 Main Street North in Mount Forest from 9am to 12pm, accepting donations and greeting shoppers with a smile.
Last year he raised between $3,000 and $4,000, noting in the “good days” he would raise around $7,000.
“I get a lot of donations from people shopping and a lot of people support Terry Fox,” he said. “That’s why I do it at the grocery store.”
As well as accepting donations, Dineen will be selling Terry Fox Foundation T-shirts for $25 each. Those interested in purchasing a shirt can reach Dineen at 519-323-6552.
Shirts and other apparel can be purchased on the Terry Fox Foundation website at shop.terryfox.org.
“Keeping his legacy alive” is the reason he participates every year.
To donate or learn more visit run.terryfox.ca/55669 or terryfox.org.
