[	(Pictured above: Linklater Public School Principal Harold Hess leads the combined Linklater and Thousand Islands Elementary School team during the 5-kilometer centipede race at the UCDSB Champions for Kids Foundation Fun Run/Walk.)

(Kemptville) - The first annual Upper Canada District School Board Champions for Kids Foundation Fun Run/Walk raised about $2,000 Sunday to help level the playing field for kids in need.

The family event attracted 139 participants who walked or ran a one or five-kilometre course at the Ferguson Forest Centre either as individual runners or as part of colourful centipede teams – groups of 4-10 participants dressed along a particular theme and connected by everything from paddles to neckties. Individuals and families raised a minimum pledge of $20 for the foundation in order to participate, while centipede teams were required to raise a minimum of $100.

“I thought it went very well,” said Sarah Crawford, event chair. “Entire families participated from the youngest runners who were three years old to grandparents. There were many who completed a distance they had never tried before and the trails were a fun, safe place to do it.”

“And now we have another $2,000 to support area children to stay successful in school and in life by allowing them to experience the joy of sports or the arts, or to meet their medical and dental needs.”

Participants said they loved the event.

“It was so much fun,” said Heather Dales, a member of the Red Neck Rowers centipede team. “It was the kind of silly day that made you laugh and you felt great afterwards.”

The event raised funds for the UCDSB Champions for Kids Foundation, which was established in January 2008 to help kids in need play sports, enjoy the arts or seek medical or dental care. Since its founding, the charitable wing of the UCDSB has raised more than $100,000, which has helped students attend camp, play soccer, take guitar lessons, and enjoy dance class. Funds have also been used to provide gas cards so families can take their children to Ottawa for medical treatment, and to buy glasses for kids in need.

The top pledge-getters at the event were members of the Crowe family - Shelley, Jason and Lucas Crowe – who raised $225. Sonja Robertson and her family were second, having raised $152. Members of both families were each given Champions for Kids T-shirts.  

The award for oldest participant went to Arthur Pearse, who won a gift certificate for lunch at Brewed Awakenings in Kemptville. Three-year-olds Jet Vanderlinde and Tate Armstrong tied for youngest participants. Each received a prize of a customized photo from CT Photo.

The Spirit Award – for the centipede team showing the most spirit – went to the Civil Serpents, a group of runners from the Kemptville-area who were tethered together to look like a glimmering green serpent.

The award for best costume for the one-kilometre centipede event went to the TISS Pirates, while the prize for best costume for the five kilometer event went to the Red Neck Rowers – a team from the Board’s administrative office in Brockville.

Vanier Public School and the combined team of Thousand Island Elementary School and Linklater Public School raised the most in team pledges, collecting $536 and $312 respectively. Both schools won pizza parties.

Participants also enjoyed children’s face painting, and a performance by the South Branch Elementary School drummers in the North Grenville Municipal Centre following the event.

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For more information, please call:

Sarah Crawford

Chairman

Champions for Kids Fun Run/Walk

613-342-0371 ext. 1327

For a link to a great video of the event please see the Brock News Web site at: