Sign up today for first Smiths Falls Heart & Stroke fundraising walk

Posted Feb 9, 2012 By Stacey Roy

EMC Events - Diane Moncrieff took the heart wrenching experience of losing her brother and turned it into inspiration to host Smiths Falls first Remembrance Run in support of the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada.

The June 16, 2012 event is being organized in remembrance of Moncrieff's brother and former Hershey employee, Wilf Richards who died suddenly of a massive heart attack two years ago to the day. His death came as an incredible surprise as there was no family history or warning.

"It just makes you start thinking differently about things," Moncrieff said.

From that day she made up her mind to stop smoking and live a healthier lifestyle. After licking the cigarette addiction Moncrieff took exactly three months to train for and participate in her first 5km run in support of Mothers Against Drunk Drivers.

"It was emotional because I was doing it for my brother," Moncrieff said.

Heart & Stroke Foundation's website notes the importance of physical activity as one of the most important tools Canadians have to fighting heart disease. Information from their website says that physically inactive people are twice as likely to be at risk for heart disease or stroke as those who are active.

The experience Moncrieff had of setting a target to run a five-km race and reaching it was exhilarating, but the local woman felt she wanted to give back to Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada while remaining fit.

That's when she learned there were no walks in support of the research organization and Moncrieff began the work of organizing Smiths Falls first walk/run this summer.

"I'm definitely learning right now," she said.

Registration for the June 16 event is free and can be done online at www.fitforheart.ca. There is no entry fee, but participants are encouraged to collect pledges for Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada if possible. All participants will meet at the Smiths Falls Curling & Squash Club at 9 a.m. Saturday, June 16 and then walk across the road to Lower Reach Park where the walk/run will take place. Moncrieff wanted to have a dual walk and run event to ensure every individual who wanted to show their support for the cause had an opportunity to take part. There is a one-km walk, five-km walk and five-km run for those to take part in. Moncrieff notes the arena walking track is a great tool for training for a five-km event. She uses the facility over lunch hour as does her 77-year old father who walks five-km a day.

FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH

This month is Heart & Stroke month across Canada making now a great time to put your heart into it and kick your New Year's resolution into full drive by starting your training for the five-km challenge this summer. Information on the Heart & Stroke website tells us that one in three Canadians will be killed before their time due to heart disease. Through your actions in the June 16 fundraising event you can take a step toward making death wait by helping the foundation reach its goal of $1 million raised.

Anyone interested in volunteering during the event is asked to contact Moncrieff at dianejordan2@msn.com.

sroy@perfprint.ca