by WGO staff
Teaming up with The Brew and Bubble this year, the popular 5km charity fun run will return to its old stomping grounds to start the race on the Esplanade outside Governor’s Restaurant Sunday, December 15.
“We are so happy to have Brew and Bubble as part of our team to collect toys for the dozens of children of Transition House who suffered a family crisis this past year,” said race co-founder Tera Camus, a single parent and former journalist from Whitney Pier.
On race day, runners and walkers are being asked to bring unwrapped toys or a $20 donation for a boy or girl aged between newborn and 18-years-old. Up until race day, toys or cash donations can be dropped off this week at The Brew and Bubble, located at 76 Townsend Street in downtown Sydney.
Following the race, all donations will be delivered to the local shelter for abused women and children.
“Over the years we collected a lot of money and toys and we’re hoping to once again tap into the kindness of others with Megan MacKenzie’s new tea shop serving a bit like Santa’s little workshop gathering toys for us prior to race day,” Camus added.
Camus and Wendy Martin of CBC Radio founded the race in 2012 awarding bragging rights and hideous prizes to the top two who wore the ugliest or most outrageous Christmas outfits as well as giving free brunch to the fastest male and female runners.
“We have a lot of fun at the Ugly Sweater Run but never lose sight of the fact that it supports a very serious cause,” Ms. Martin said. “We hope to brighten the holidays for many Cape Breton families.”
Helen Morrison, executive director of Transition House, said they helped 174 mothers in crisis with 46 children over the past year, a steep climb from the previous year when approximately 60 families were assisted either at the shelter or in its Second Stage apartment units or once they found new homes.
“The need is great and our community is always so supportive,” Ms. Morrison said. “We rely on the generosity of the community to help us help our women and their children. It’s a merrier Christmas for all and we thank organizers of the Ugly Sweater Run for helping again this year.”
This year’s run will begin at 10 a.m., with brunch to follow inside Governor’s Restaurant. Cape Breton Regional Police will again escort runners along the 5k double loop of Sydney’s north end.
