Simcoe Norfolk MS Walk is coming up May 26

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The Simcoe Norfolk MS walk is coming up again on Sunday, May 26. 

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Last year, the MS Walk committee set a fundraising target of $33,000, and the 2023 event raised more than $47,000 for the MS Society of Canada to be used for multiple sclerosis research, MS programs, and purchasing equipment for persons with MS. 

“We did really well,” said Dave Horton, chair of the Grand Erie chapter of the MS Society of Canada. “Last year’s walk was spectacular – sunny, warm, people sitting out on the patio at the Legion. That was really our first big in-person walk (after the COVID pandemic). We tried our best to encourage people to come out – and they did – and we raised a really good amount.” 

Horton estimated about 70-80 walkers participated in last year’s volunteer-led walk, nearly double the number from 2022, coming from Norfolk County, Brant County, Brantford and Tillsonburg areas. 

“We certainly encourage people from Brantford (and Tillsonburg) to get re-involved, make the trip, and just help us enjoy the day.” 

This year’s walk will follow the same route, starting and finishing at the Simcoe Legion, Branch 79, 200 West Street. The only change might be the addition of a designated checkpoint, midway along the 5-km route. 

Participants can get involved by registering and walking. Reach out to friends and family for pledges or make your own donation through the MS Walk Canada website (mswalks.ca) through the Simcoe Norfolk MS Walk link. For more information contact Horton at 519-427-7849. 

Once again, organizers hope to have dignitaries speak during the opening ceremony. Last year Norfolk Mayor Amy Martin, MPP Bobbi Ann Brady, and MP Leslyn Lewis attended, as well as inspirational MS fundraiser Nancy Lester from Tillsonburg, who has raised more than $220,000 for the MS Society over the years. 

There will be a light breakfast available for participants, and Kaley’s On the Go food truck will be there to serve lunch. 

On Sunday, May 5,  a pre-walk breakfast will be held at Kaley’s restaurant, 33 Robinson St. Simcoe from 8 a.m.-1 p.m.  People are invited to call 226-440-3444 for a reservation but walk-ins are also welcome.

Between $10-13 million has been committed this year to research projects by the MS Society of Canada, said Horton, and the majority of the MS Walk money raised goes to research. 

“More and more people are being diagnosed with MS every day. They say there are 12 new diagnoses every day and upwards of 90,000 living with MS in Canada. And Canada still has one of the highest rates of MS in the world. They’re still trying to figure out why this occurs.”