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Wilmot's Terry Fox Run hoping to break its own fundraising record — again

The Wilmot Terry Fox Run has diversified over the years from being just a one-day event. This year, musicians have held house concerts and created a CD to support the cause.

Community involvement and 'selfless humility' helps run's success, organizer says

CBC News ·
This year, Nigel Gordijk had 'Be A Legend' shaved into his head for the annual Wilmot Terry Fox Run. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

The Terry Fox Run is set to go in communities across Canada this Sunday and the organizers in Wilmot township are hopeful they can break their own fundraising record again.

Nigel and Cheryl Gordijk took over the run in 2013. That year it raised $2,000.

Last year, they raised more than $33,000.

Nigel Gordijk says the community has really gotten behind what they're doing, which has moved far beyond a single day for the race.

Last year, visual artists were involved in the fundraising. This year, musicians are more involved, he says. They've hosted house concerts, or larger events in churches, and the musicians donated their time for the cause.

They've created a CD called Terry Fox on the Road, complete with branded T-shirts. There is a breakfast, barbecues and other events various groups hold to donate to the run's final tally.

This year, more than 20 fundraisers have taken place.

Nigel Gordijk and his wife Cheryl, who is a township councillor, took over the Wilmot Terry Fox Run in 2013. Each year, they've tried to do something different to raise money throughout the year for the fundraiser. This year, that included creating a CD and holding a series of house concerts with local musicians. (Kate Bueckert/CBC)

The Gordijks are also very involved in promoting the fundraisers on social media.

"It's very community based," Gordijk told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo. "That's what the community is like. Everyone looks out for everyone else. Everyone wants to be involved, everyone has a strong work ethic and a selfless humility. And when you think about it, those are a lot of the values that Terry Fox embodied."

'Be a legend'

In 1977, Terry Fox had his right leg amputated above the knee because of a malignant tumour. He wanted to raise money for cancer research and awareness and planned to run across Canada.

Fox started his Marathon of Hope on April 12, 1980 in Newfoundland. He had to stop on Sept. 1, 1980 just outside Thunder Bay after the cancer had spread to his lungs. He died on June 28, 1981. The first Terry Fox Run was held in 760 sites in Canada and around the world on Sept. 13, 1981.

This year, the organizers in Wilmot are also expanding the number of signs along the run's route dedicated to the loved ones of local participants who have died from cancer. Gordijk is a graphic designer and he came up with the look of the signs. It's not a fundraiser but instead a way to help people connect with the run, he said.

Gordijk also shaves his head each year for the run, too. This year it says, "Be a legend."

Registration for Sunday's run in New Hamburg begins at 12:30 p.m. and the run will start at 1:45 p.m. at the fairgrounds.

Terry Fox Runs are also being held on Sunday in:

  • Kitchener's Victoria Park, registration begins at 11 a.m.
  • Waterloo Park, registration begins at 8:30 a.m.
  • Cambridge's Riverside Park, registration begins at 11 a.m.
  • Elmira at 49 Indistrial Rd., registration begins at 12 p.m.
  • Ayr Curling Club at 210 Northumberland St., registration begins at 8 a.m.
  • Guelph's Silvercreek Park, registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

Listen to the interview with Nigel Gordijk:

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