The 21st annual Hike or Bike for Hospice will be returning to the region on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The annual fundraiser in support of Stedman Community Hospice is one of the area’s most anticipated public events of the spring season.
Over the last 20 years, Hike or Bike for Hospice has raised $3.4 million for Hospice care. The Hospice relies on community support for approximately 50 per cwnr of the funds needed to deliver end-of-life care to patients, and to provide grief and bereavement support programs to family members coping with the loss of a loved one.
“We are very excited about this year’s event,” said Julie Powell, President and CEO of St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation, the official fundraising organization for Stedman Community Hospice.
“Some of the features of this year’s event include a commemorative 2025 t-shirt featuring our new logo, additional cycling routes for those who participate in the “Bike” portion of the event, and our participant lunch this year will be provided by the very popular Strodes BBQ and Deli,” added Powell.
Powell explained that the t-shirt and lunch are included with the cost of registration, which remains at $25.
“Because registration covers the cost of the t-shirt and lunch, we always hope that participants will consider a donation and enlist the support of family, friends and co-workers in a fundraising campaign. As with most things, many hands make lighter work,” Powell said.
Powell added that virtually everyone will need the support of hospice at some point in their lives, if not for themselves, for a parent, sibling, partner, neighbour or friend.
“Death isn’t something we like to think about and it’s not uncommon for us to have little knowledge about hospice care until we need to access it,” she said.
A large number of participants in the event are families who have needed the care of the Hospice, either at home through community outreach or at the Hospice itself, where care is provided by clinical professionals around the clock.
“Participating in the event is a way many people choose to honour the life of someone they love, to pay tribute after they have passed away, and to express their gratitude for the care they received,” said Powell.
One of the most cherished portions of the event are the memorial banners displaying the names of every individual who has received care at Stedman Community Hospice, dating back to 2004 when Stedman Community Hospice opened.
“Families visit the banner to see the name of their loved one and often pause there for reflection and to take a family or team photo,” explained Powell.
Along with many family-friendly activities, which include a Celebration of Life Ceremony, the annual event features prizes for top fundraisers.
Daneka Miller has been a multi-year top fundraiser, sharing that it’s her gratitude for the wonderful care her mom, Cindy, received in 2017 that keeps her coming back, not just to participate, but to make a positive difference with a strong fundraising campaign.
“My personal experience with the Hospice helped me through a very difficult time in my life,” said Miller. “Losing my mom to cancer at the age of 13 was devastating. Seeing her cared for in a place that felt like home, where I could be next to her, and where she was cared for around the clock meant everything to me. The staff and volunteers took great care of me as well. I will never forget how tender and understanding they were.”
Heather Barker, the daughter of Bert Barker, whose family are the official ambassadors for this year’s event, echoed Daneka’s sentiments, saying her whole family felt cared for.
“In participating in the Hike last year, a few months after Dad passed away, the Barker family is honoured to return this year as the 2025 ambassadors,” she shared. “As a community-minded person who dedicated hundreds of hours to charitable causes during his lifetime, Dad taught us what it means to contribute. He would be so proud.”
Sonja Barker, who was married to Bert for 57 years, added, “I know he’ll be up there, looking on as our number one cheerleader.”
