Charity walk for CHEO kicks off in Portage

Charity walk for CHEO kicks off in Portage

A Beachburg man in his 80s will be walking 10 km per day throughout the Pontiac this week as part of a fundraiser for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO).  Russell Mackay, 85, affectionately known as “Papa” to his family, is an avid walker with a history of fundraising for health care services. Though he is spry for his age, Russell is also diabetic and legally blind.

About 50 people gathered near the old Anglican church in Portage-du-Fort on Sunday morning to cheer him on as he set off on the first leg of his week-long trek.

In 2020, he walked more than 100 km from his community to CHEO’s facility in Ottawa, raising $120,000. This year he is hoping to raise $30,000. Russell’s daughter Crystal explained that they chose to start in Portage because the family has some history there.

At the kickoff, Mackay had the support of several local Lions clubs, including Shawville, Beachburg and Bryson, who all made donations to his cause. Speaking on Monday (August 28), Crystal said that they’ve brought in around $12,000 so far. She added that he will be in various communities throughout the Pontiac each day, and encouraged residents to come and cheer him on.

The walk will finish on Thursday evening at 7 p.m. at the Shawville fairgrounds, in conjunction with the fair’s opening, with a charity auction on site.

The public can follow along with Mackay’s progress via their social media.

Donations can be made directly on the group’s CHEO foundation page.

The full interview with Crystal Mackay (4m20) is available here.