Record-breaking Hike for Bethell Hospice held in Inglewood

By Zachary Roman

Despite cloudy weather, the infectious energy of a huge crowd of hikers getting together for the first time in years made the 2022 Hike for Bethell Hospice an unforgettable one.

Held on May 1 in Inglewood, the annual hike raises money for Bethell Hospice, a not-for-profit hospice care home in Inglewood that provides world-class care at no charge to those it serves. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the hike hadn't been able to be held in person the past few years.

Supporters of Bethell Hospice made sure the return to hiking together was a success and raised over $200,000 — the most ever, according to Nicole Hand, executive director of the Bethell Hospice Foundation. Still, donations are welcome until the end of the Hike for Bethell Hospice campaign on May 31.

Hand said this year's hike had over 400 people registered to participate, a number that smashed Bethell Hospice's goal of 250. There were over 40 teams of hikers registered, each hiking for their own unique reasons.

The hikers gathered at, departed from, and returned to the Lloyd Wilson Memorial Arena. There, the Palgrave Rotary and Caledon Lions clubs were on hand to prepare breakfast for the hikers, while Tim Hortons donated coffee and Timbits.

Kinetico Bolton provided water to keep hikers refreshed. A long list of companies and organizations supported the hike as sponsors; they can be found on the Hike for Bethell Hospice website. 

Also at the site were two vendors, selling “Hearts for Hospice” and “Pixie Properties” with proceeds going to Bethell Hospice. A memory garden was set up in a tent where people could add to a memory board, plant a seed in someone's memory, or do an art activity.

The hike took participants on a 2.5 kilometre return trip down the Caledon Trailway and it coincided with the start of National Hospice & Palliative Care Week. Caledon Mayor Allan Thompson attended the event and on behalf of him and Town of Caledon Council, he proclaimed May 1, 2022 as Palliative Care Day in Caledon.

Before the hike began, participant Jonelle Gillis gave a speech about what Bethell Hospice means to her family — her dad was one of the first residents at Bethell Hospice.

“We came every day to visit our dad and every day we saw him receive the best care we ever imagined. He himself told us many times how much appreciated being there,” said Gillis.

“...The compassion, the care, the honesty, the authenticity and their passion… they helped us in what was the most difficult time in our lives.”

Gillis said she and her family were unprepared for many things about her dad's last days, such as managing feelings, admitting what was going to happen, and knowing they couldn't help. Gillis said hospice staff were with them every step of the way to educate, talk, and be there for them.

“Thank you, Bethell Hospice, for everything you did and continue to do. Our family will forever be grateful,” said Gillis.

For more on how to contribute, visit foundation.bethellhospice.org.