The 4th annual Charlee’s Run has raised $35,500 for paediatric and neonatal needs at Orillia Soldier’s Memorial Hospital (OSMH).
The run event faced two big obstacles this year – the pandemic and a last blast of winter.
Organizers Dave and Mallory Holmes decided to hold it virtually on May 9th and more than 430 people took part.
The couple are completely overwhelmed by the support.
The run is held each year to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss in memory of their daughter Charlee and the lost little ones of many participants.
Since 2016, Charlee’s Run has raised $186,500 for paediatric and neonatal needs at Soldiers’.
These funds have helped purchase a Bereavement Cart for the Obstetrics Floor, a Central Patient Monitoring System for the Paediatric Unit and an Operating Room Birthing Table for emergency and high-risk deliveries.
“We are completely overwhelmed by the support our community has shown this year,” said Mallory. “We couldn’t have imagined that we would be able to come together like this – in the wake
of a global pandemic without physically being present at an actual run – to raise awareness for pregnancy and infant loss in memory of our daughter Charlee and the lost little ones of many participants. To have the success of raising $35,500 – we are truly blown
away.”
“When Mallory and Dave were faced with the dilemma of changing the format of the run this year, we couldn’t have predicted this outcome,” says Lisa Wanamaker, OSMH Foundation Development
Officer. “The Charlee’s Run community fully embraced the virtual run despite the snow, the distance and the fear of COVID-19 to raise an astounding amount of money for our paediatric needs. We owe a big thank you to Dave and Mallory, their sponsors and everyone
who participated this year for the huge success of this virtual event.”
To learn more about Charlee’s Run, please visit www.charleesrun.com.