Langley’s Terry Fox committee is in desperate need of volunteers to ensure their annual run happens this September.
The run is in its 10th year in Langley and has seen a drop in volunteers over the last few. Rainy weather has also contributed to a decline in participants.
READ MORE: “Terry Fox ran through rain, so can we…”
Margaret McGuire-Grout, chair of Terry Fox Run organization committee, said “the original Langley run, which took shape after the Marathon of Hope in 1980, ended in the early 1990s. Nearly two decades later, it started back up in 2010 with the interest and help of new volunteers.”
After five years of leading the commitee, McGuire-Grout is stepping down with Danette Haar currently serving as co-chair. She says people moving away from Langley or becoming too busy to help seems to be their biggest struggle.
Now, the committee is simply stretched too thin.
“We want to try and have more people involved so all the volunteers don’t have so many tasks to do.”
The committee’s work begins in early spring to bring together one big moment every year; 1, 5, and 10 kilometre runs for people to raise money and fight against cancer.
‘We need people to run the registration desk on run day, operate the volunteer database, and contact them before the event.”
At this stage in the year, volunteer positions require just a few hours a week to process participants and start getting businesses interested in helping out or displaying posters.
McGuire-Grout said people should not feel overwhelmed if they are hesitant to start. “The goal for this year is to really have new people interested come out and watch the process.”
The run itself takes place on Sept. 15, with registration beginning at 9 a.m. The event, anually held in Douglas Park, is when the bulk volunteer duties would come into play to ensure the day goes smoothly.
Timing is signficant as next year will mark the 40th Anniversary of Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope.
“I don’t want to see it die,” McGuire-Grout said. “I would love to see it continue.”
Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer is asked to email terryfoxlangley@yahoo.com or visit Terry Fox Run Langley for more details.
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Email: ryan.uytdewilligen@langleyadvancetimes.com
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Margaret McGuire-Grout and volunteers facillitate the annual Terry Fox Run September 2018 (Langley Advance Times Files)