Four-year-old runners go the distance for Children’s Treatment Centre

In addition to a warmup and cheering parents, the nine young participants were presented with medals for their accomplishments in the 1km Fun Run. The young athletes were Elon Pechenick, Thomas Barber, Hudson Rose, Daisy Farrell, Abby Butters, Mimosa Seale, Joni Wyatt, Emma Normandin and Ella Zalev. – Andrew Wyatt photo

Inspired by services received at the local Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC), families and friends cheered a group of nine enthusiastic four-year-olds on a 1km PEC Fun Run (or walk) in Bloomfield last Sunday in support of the CTC at Belleville General Hospital.

The children’s centre provides a range of services and therapies to children and youth with disabilities. Those services prompted event organizer Jennifer Gagné to give back.

“Our youngest son Koen benefits immensely from therapy at the Children’s Treatment Centre,” said Gagné. “And big brother Elon’s love of running inspired the idea of a fun run for kids.”

Gagné set up a CanadaHelps fundraising page and family and friends quickly brought it to, and then exceeded, the fundraising goal, for a final donation of $4,089.

Gagné was surprised by the momentum and expressed gratitude for the additional donated support such as graphic design, and shirts and medals for the athletes.

Deborah Milligan, manager of the CTC stated the whole event was “amazing. We at the Children’s Treatment Centre are so appreciative of these efforts on our behalf.”

Located in Belleville General Hospital, and serving more than 3,000 children and families from Hastings and Prince Edward counties, the CTC provides rehabilitation services from birth to school-leaving age for children who present with physical, neurological or developmental difficulties.

Dr. Max with three young athletes. Zev Pechenick photo

Several of the families who were at the PEC Fun Run attended a ceremony Tuesday to present the donation and learn more about the CTC.

On behalf of the Belleville General Hospital Foundation, Community Events Officer Jennifer McTavish noted she was impressed with the spirit behind the Fun Run, and the impact that one family can have when inspired to organize a fundraiser.

“It is so rewarding to witness the impact our community hospital and the Children’s Treatment Centre has had on Jen and her family, which then inspired others to give so generously.”

Elon and dad on the run. – Andrew Wyatt photo