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Times -Advocate, April 26. 1995
Page 7
Treme'ndoas community support for final
Skinner wblk-a-thon for Children's Hospital
Hundreds walk for Children's Hospital
for $1,000.
Story and Photos by
Ingrid Nielsen
T -A Staff
Despite the cool weather, warm
smiles prevailed as over 300 people
turned out to walk in the fifth and
final walk-a-thon in Exeter for the
Sick Children's Hopital of Western,
on Sunday.
Every age group was represented
ps they filled streets, travelling by
foot, bike, roller blade and stroller.
Audrey Skinner, one of the main
organizers was "ecstatic and over-
whelmed" by the turnout.
"I just can't believe that so many
people from the little ones to the
elders are all helping out. It is just
wonderful," said Skinner.
The walk-a-thon began at the Ex-
eter Youth Centre, and proceeded
down John Street, over Mal-
borough, and along Huron. Morri-
son Dam was the turn -around point
for the weary walkers, where bar-
becued hot dogs and pop were pro-
vided by Holtzmann's I.G.A.
Cheques were presented before
and after the walk by many local
groups. The Exeter Lions presented
a cheque for $ 3,000 and the Exeter
Lionness donated $300. The Op-
timist Club also presented a cheque
Another big donor was Adrian
Bayley, a local businessman who
has been helping to promote the
walk-a-thon, as well as collecting
pledges. He presented Audrey and
Steve Skinner with a cheque for
54,500 and still counting, to be do-
nated to the hospital.
Speechless, Audrey turned and
gave Bayley a big hug in apprecia-
tion.
In the past four years, the Skin-
ners have raised over $80,000 for
the Hospital. They have done this
work in memory of their daughter
Stephanie, who died of a rare liver
disorder in 1990. Stephanie spent
80 percent of her young life in the
Children's Hospital, and died two
weeks before her first birthday.
This is the last walk-a-thon that
the Skinner family will organize,
and Audrey says, "I couldn't have
asked for a better way to close off
the five years."
The total money raised at this
year's walk-a-thon will be an-
nounced in a few weeks, when all
the pledges are in.
The goal for this year was to put
the five-year total over $100,000.
Adrian Bayley gets an enthusiastic hug from Audrey Skinner
as he hands over a cheque.
Bayley takes a swig.
edeman leads the walkers as he pulls along MacKenzie and Kelsey Holtzman.
Wendy Boogemans and Kevin McArter, cooking the hot
dogs at Morrison Dam.
Melanie Nem urges on the
walkers.
.The &eland family walks the line for the Skinner's cause.
From front to back; Amy, Scott, Miranda, Cassie and Karen.
The Adan Broncos hockey team was out early for the walk. Matt Dietrich (right) and Kevin ABY twelves a cheque from Exeter Lions president Jamie Grant and Steve Sklnncr
Overholt (left) took Lucas Skinner (middle) out for the walk. receives a cheque from Exeter Lioness president Linde Oliver and treasurer Shelley Mclnnis.
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