Schools across the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) once again participated in fundraising events to help raise money for The Terry Fox Foundation.
The Terry Fox Foundation raises money for cancer research through initiatives like the annual Terry Fox Run and Terry Fox School Run. In March 2025, the UGDSB was presented with a plaque after raising more than $2.5M throughout the years. That number continues to grow.
As of Friday, September 19, Erin District High School (EDHS) had raised $5745.00, with one class raising $1340 on their own. Students did a walk-run event on the trail by the school, with some students and staff completing a 10km run.
"With our t-shirt sales ($1010), we have officially surpassed the $6300 goal that the Terry Fox Foundation set out for us,” EDHS teacher Jocelyn Wombwell said.
On Wednesday, September 25 students at Priory Park Public School held a special assembly along with a walk-run event. The young students were engaged during the assembly, asking multiple questions and singing along to the “Terry Fox Song”.
On Friday, September 26, students at Brant Avenue Public School led an assembly about Terry Fox before all classes headed outside to run around the park, collecting beads for homemade bracelets with each lap completed.
Central Public School also held an event on Friday, September 26, where kindergarten students walked around one of the parks at the school while Grades 1-3 walked to Sunny Acres Park and Grades 4-6 walked to Exhibition Park. Despite being one of the smaller UGDSB schools, Central PS had raised more than $2,000 by the end of the week.
Terry Fox set out on his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980 in St. John's, Newfoundland. His goal was to raise money and awareness for cancer research while running across the country.
After 143 days, 5,373 kilometres, and over $24.17M raised, cancer returned to his lungs and he was forced to stop on September 1, 1980. He died at the age of 22 on June 28, 1981.
To learn more about Terry Fox and what The Terry Fox Foundation does, visit terryfox.org.