As a few spectators cheered them on, students at Halfmoon Bay Elementary School ran laps around the field for their annual Terry Fox Run and fundraiser on Oct. 18.
Among them was six-year-old Eli King, who raised $3,291 in memory of his late grandmother, Judi “Bubs” Libin. It was Eli’s first time participating in a Terry Fox Run.
“The kids all seem pretty fired up about it, and they all gave it a good effort,” Eli’s mom, Shayla, told Coast Reporter on the day of the run.
While Eli is proud of himself, his mom said he’s still sad about his grandmother. The family has talked about Terry Fox’s legacy of helping others, and how Eli is part of that effort too. Students and staff across the Coast’s school district participated in the annual run, which is not a competition, and helped raise money for cancer research.
“I think it’s a big part of his healing journey,” Shayla said.
Eli’s fundraising efforts were supported by friends and family, and some names the family didn’t recognize also donated to the cause.
Halfmoon Bay Elementary School also raised money with a draw for students to pie a teacher. Students will have their names drawn for the chance, and the biggest fundraiser – Eli – automatically gets the honour.
