"It's night and day different, the way it's been organized now, the support that we're getting," said Royal Canadian Navy Lft. Fraser Gransden, of this year's Run For the Wish campaign.
"The support is enormous compared to when I did it years ago," Gransden said, of the last time he participated in the annual fundraising run in 2007.
"It really is a whole new program now," he said. "We slept on gym mats when I (last) did it. That's the difference."
Gransden is one of 12 members from the HMCS Halifax who are participating in this year's event, which involves them running in individual stages from Sydney to Yarmouth.
This current goal is to raise $40,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation, in part to support the wish of this year's poster child, Zander, 3, who underwent a liver transplant when he was just six months old.
"He wants to go to Disney World with his family," said fellow runner Chris Jawornicki. "He is in recovery so he wants to travel a little bit."
While the runners do not know how close to their goal they are, as collections are still coming in, both Gransden and Jawornicki said support has been overwhelming so far, from the people who hand over roadside donations to sponsors, legions and business owners who are contributing to the effort along the way.
"I mean we're being put up every single night in different hotels, motels, and they're all being donated to us graciously by all the sponsors and local businesses," Jawornicki said.
"Without them this wouldn't happen."
With Truro marking the halfway point in their run, Jawornicki said the runners are starting to feel the effects of their efforts. But the continued support makes it all worthwhile.
"The legs are getting a little sore, a little tired," he said. "They feel a little heavier than they did day one, but it's great. The enthusiasm that we get from the communities ... the local schools and legions and the enthusiasm that we see, that really helps us on.
"Were running down the side of the road, people coming by, honking it cheers you on. So it's pretty good. Lots of great support."
hsullivan@trurodaily.com
Twitter: @tdnharry
"It's night and day different, the way it's been organized now, the support that we're getting," said Royal Canadian Navy Lft. Fraser Gransden, of this year's Run For the Wish campaign.
"The support is enormous compared to when I did it years ago," Gransden said, of the last time he participated in the annual fundraising run in 2007.
"It really is a whole new program now," he said. "We slept on gym mats when I (last) did it. That's the difference."
Gransden is one of 12 members from the HMCS Halifax who are participating in this year's event, which involves them running in individual stages from Sydney to Yarmouth.
This current goal is to raise $40,000 for the Children's Wish Foundation, in part to support the wish of this year's poster child, Zander, 3, who underwent a liver transplant when he was just six months old.
"He wants to go to Disney World with his family," said fellow runner Chris Jawornicki. "He is in recovery so he wants to travel a little bit."
While the runners do not know how close to their goal they are, as collections are still coming in, both Gransden and Jawornicki said support has been overwhelming so far, from the people who hand over roadside donations to sponsors, legions and business owners who are contributing to the effort along the way.
"I mean we're being put up every single night in different hotels, motels, and they're all being donated to us graciously by all the sponsors and local businesses," Jawornicki said.
"Without them this wouldn't happen."
With Truro marking the halfway point in their run, Jawornicki said the runners are starting to feel the effects of their efforts. But the continued support makes it all worthwhile.
"The legs are getting a little sore, a little tired," he said. "They feel a little heavier than they did day one, but it's great. The enthusiasm that we get from the communities ... the local schools and legions and the enthusiasm that we see, that really helps us on.
"Were running down the side of the road, people coming by, honking it cheers you on. So it's pretty good. Lots of great support."
hsullivan@trurodaily.com
Twitter: @tdnharry
Six of the 12 members from HCMS Halifax involved in this year's Run For the Wish campaign get set to head out after being served breakfast at Branch 26 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Truro. Pictured above from left are: Lft. Fraser Gransden; Lft. Chris Jawornicki; Sub Lft. Amy Clements; Seaman Cruz Allegre; Leading Seaman Adam Watkins and Able Seamam Breton Severin.
