Students and seniors came together on Wednesday for a fundraising walk to support ONERUN.
The students from St. Theresa elementary school joined residents from retirement homes across the city for a walk through Springbank Gardens.
Theresa Carriere, breast cancer survivor and creator of ONERUN says, although it is a breast cancer fundraiser, it's so much bigger than that.
"It's about us taking care of one another, and for the students and the seniors, to let them know that we got their back," says Carriere. "If their family is struggling with cancer, then they know that they are not alone in that fight and that we are here to help them."
On June 12, Carriere will run 100km from Sarnia to London and will be joined at each kilometre by members of the public who raised money for the cause.
Tina Morgan, who works at Elmwood Place, partnered with Carriere to find a way to involve seniors in the walk. Carriere says that by connecting the two groups, the students will learn to communicate with seniors and teach them that it is important to be part of their community.
"I hope to have fun and have a nice walk," said grade eight student Nick, prior to Wednesday's walk. "I think that by helping some of the old people, I can make some of them happy and we can hopefully raise some money."
Carole Metron, who volunteers with ONERUN, says the students will write a reflection piece for school to describe the impact the event had on them as individuals and as a class.
The funds raised will support local programs through St. Joseph's Health Care and the London Health Sciences Centre that provide wigs, transportation to and from the hospital, and time off work for family members.