The Virtual Terry Fox Fun in Orillia has raised more than 24-thousand dollars for cancer research so far.
The organizing committee says 182 online fundraisers had signed up for the event by Sunday.
Merchandise sales are still being tallied.
“We knew early on a community run wouldn’t be possible due to the pandemic,” says Run organizer Alison Stoneman. “And with outdoor gatherings ordered to be even smaller this weekend, we have been creatively trying to honour Terry’s legacy in Orillia by generating these much-needed research dollars.”
The virtual version of the annual event kicked off just before 1:00 p.m. with Opening Ceremonies on the Orillia Terry Fox Run YouTube channel, complete with messages from local dignitaries, a cancer survivor, a fast-motion tour of the Orillia waterfront route, the traditional warm-up and a return of Terry Fox’s niece Alexandra Fox from her home in British Columbia.
Final totals are not yet available but organizers are hoping to near or surpass the $800-thousand plateau once all of the donations are tabulated this year.
Commemorative 40th anniversary t-shirts are still available for purchase while supplies last, with sizes ranging from Youth to XXL. A safe, physically-distant T-shirt pick-up location and date will be provided to purchasers. Those requiring certificates and participant stickers can also contact the organizing committee.
Terry Fox virtual Runs were also held in Sugarbush (Oro-Medonte), Lagoon City-Brechin, Beaverton, Gravenhurst, Bala, Barrie, Heart of Georgian Bay (Midland area), and across Canada. School runs will be held later this month; days and times to be finalized by schools.
