PHOTO BY PRESCOTT JAMES Enlarge Image

Headingley resident Glenn Reimer (third from the right) with the six other medal bearers who carried the Rick Hansen medal through the streets of Headingley on Jan. 21.

Long-time Headingley resident Glenn Reimer got his chance to be a man in motion over the weekend.

On Jan. 21 the 25th Anniversary Rick Hansen Many in Motion World tour rolled through the streets of Headingley as part of a cross-country tour to mark the Original Man in Motion Tour that began in 1985 and saw Hansen raise more than $26 million for spinal cord injury research.

As the tour winds it’s way from Cape Spear, N.L., visiting 600 communities before reaching its final destination in Vancouver on May 22, a symbolic Rick Hansen medal is being passed between 7,000 relay participants — and one of them was Reimer.

"When I found out I would be participating I was excited, honoured and thrilled," he said. "I was also humbled because I remember the first Rick Hansen run."

Reimer was nominated to be a participant for the run by the Macdonald – Headingley Recreation District.

Recreation director Susanne Moore said Reimer was an ideal nominee, as he organizes the annual Headingley Fire Department Run for Wishes.

"We were really looking for a person who has made an impact on the community for our nomination, and Glenn has been organizing this fun run for 11 years," she said. "He is also a volunteer fire fighter for the community and has been for many years."

In fact, Reimer is one of the original fire department members. He joined up when it was started in 1993l
Moore added that Reimer was the last of six medal-bearers to carry the Rick Hansen Medal from the east entrance of Marston Meadows to the Headingley Community Centre at 5353 Portage Ave, where there was a reception for Hansen’s relay team.

"Everyone really enjoyed them selves," she said.

After the relay Reimer said that he hoped his participation in the event will draw further attention to the run he organizes.

"We’ve put on the Headingley Fire Department Run for Wishes for the last 11 years," he said. "Over the years we have raised a substantial amount of money for kids. I am hoping that my participation in this really wonderful event will draw more attention to our own fundraising run."

The Headingley Fire Department Run for Wishes is scheduled for May 26. Reimer said area residents interested in participating should contact him at 889-5806.

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