Running for wishes that do come true
Annual run brings a smile to a young Headingley boy’s face
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This article was published 20/05/2010 (5799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A young Headingley boy now knows that wishes do come true.
Last year Dylan Burton, 9, received a brand new bike and walker from the Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, and now he can do all the things he was unable to do before.
Burton is a special needs student at Buchanan Elementary School in the Crestview area of Winnipeg. Like many kids his age, he is an avid sports enthusiast and is a huge fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Much to his disappointment, Burton’s disability used to hinder his ability to participate in sports. But thanks to the CRF’s donation, he can now run with the rest of the children in the school’s gym class.
“I really like dodge ball and the walker lets me play,” Burton said. “Whenever we have gym I use the walker. I’m good at dodge ball.”
Although the bike was purchased by the CRF, the funds used to purchase it were raised by the Headingley Fire Department’s annual Run for Wishes.
Headingley Emergency Measure Services co-ordinator and event organizer Glenn Reimer said that the run is all about helping the community. He said it’s gratifying to see how much it has helped someone like Burton.
“The whole purpose of the run is to fundraise for worthy causes,” Reimer added. “The money we raise allows us a lot of opportunities to help out.”
Reimer said that last year’s run raised more than $6,000 from local businesses and about half of that amount went towards the purchase of Burton’s bike.
This year’s Run for Wishes will take place May 29. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be used for the purchase of another special needs bike for Buchanan School.
“Donations like this mean our students can participate,” said special needs resource teacher Gary Shapira.
“It helps with their movement, it increases their mobility, their general muscle strength and just allows them to play with the other kids.”
Unlike Burton’s bike, the new set of wheels will remain at the school where it will be used by all special needs students. It will replace an older special needs bike that was recently taken out of service.
Shapira said that without the donation, Buchanan Elementary would have difficulty finding the money for another bike.
As for Burton, he loves both the bike and the walker — so much so that he is thinking about participating in this year’s Run for Wishes.
The run begins at 9:00 a.m. at the Headingley fire department and registration forms can be found at http://www.events.runningroom.com/site/5636/entry_form.pdf.