Port Hope to Cobourg 12 k — Cobourg to Port Hope 12 k — 9 am to 4 pm — April 30
Article by Valerie MacDonald/images submitted
A fundraising walk from Port Hope to Cobourg and back is planned for April 30 to raise funds for Ukrainians coming to Port Hope. Port Hope resident Olena Hankivsky who has Ukrainian parents is organizing the event along with members of the Port Hope United Church and affiliated organizations, says Port Hope United Church’s Reverend Kevin Moore.
About 15 families with 75 members are scheduled to arrive on work and school visas, he told the News Now Network in an interview.
“Two families are already here,” he said.
The walk begins at 9 a.m. in the church parking lot. Participants will walk to Cobourg’s Victoria Hall where they will be met by Cobourg Mayor John Henderson at 1 p.m. A return walk to Port Hope ends at 4 p.m. at the Ganaraska Brewery (one of the corporate walk sponsors) where participants will be met by Port Hope Mayor Bob Sanderson.
There is a general fundraising goal of $100,000 with the walk expected to raise $10,000.
Because the people are coming on visas they are not eligible for the same level of support as refugees, Reverand Moore explained. At present, the Ruth Clarke Seniors’ Centre is collecting donations including household items and clothing.
The idea is to “get them to safety” and then in the future look at permanent residency depending on the outcome of the ongoing invasion of the Ukraine by Russia, the Reverend added.
Everyone is encouraged to take part in all, or part, of the walk and join in the celebration at the conclusion of the 24 kilometre excursion.https://www.porthopeunitedchurch.com/
Donations can be made to porthopeunitedchurch.com
Go to the top of the page and press the donate button which will take you to Rev Kev’s walk, he said.
“We are looking to surpass our goal.”
