Over 500 people are expected to participate in the 22nd annual Hike or Bike for Hospice on Sunday, May 3, 2026.
The big event is held every year in support of Stedman Community Hospice and has helped raise over $3.4 million since its inception.
Serving residents living in Brantford, the County of Brant, Six Nations of the Grand River, Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, Norfolk and Haldimand Counties since 2004, the hospice provides-end-of-life patient care through its ten bed in-residence program, community outreach, and grief and bereavement support programs.
Julie Powell, president and CEO of St. Joseph’s Lifecare Foundation, the official fundraising organization for Stedman Community Hospice, said proceeds from the event go towards funding a variety of different patient care needs.
“Those funds help support frontline nursing, new equipment in the building like beds, patient lifts, and even supports things like food for patients and those baked goods that the hospice is known for, for loved ones,” she said. “The community actually helps fund about 50 per cent of the costs for Stedman Community Hospice, and the other 50 per cent comes from the provincial government. So events like this one are so crucial to ensure we have the funds to operate all of the programs and services of Stedman.”
“People have already started to do their fundraising and to watch the numbers grow online, it’s just incredible,” continued Powell. “We are very fortunate that the community, year after year, continues to show their support for the hospice.”
Aside from being a major fundraiser, the event also serves as a way to remember loved ones who have passed.
“We have memorial banners lining the start of our route that list the names of individuals who have passed away, and have been cared for through the hospice,” she said. “We also have t-shirts for all the participants, and the image on the front is a lovely design with the first names of everyone who’s received care. Another component we have is the memory mural, and we’re encouraging people to bring out a photo of their loved one so they can add it to the wall along with a note honouring the departed.”
As far as how to get involved, registration can be done in-person at the event, though Powell encourages people to do so ahead of time to secure a t-shirt and avoid long line ups.
To register beforehand, participants can visit the Hike or Bike for Hospice website, stop-in at Stedman Community Hospice, call the foundation at 519-751-7076 ext. 2475, or take advantage of the early-bird registration on Saturday, May 2 between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the registration tent at 99 Wayne Gretzky Pkwy. (St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre).
Registration is $25 and includes a commemorative t-shirt and lunch ticket for Strodes BBQ.
Given there will be no on-site parking on the day, shuttles will be available from Lynden Park Mall to st. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre as early as 8:30 a.m. and will continue until 12:30 p.m.
Those participating in the bike, will start from Woodman Park Community Centre (491 Grey St.) and have the option of completing a five, ten or 20 kilometre route. Check-in and registration begins at 8 a.m. and cyclists depart at 9 a.m. Please note, there is limited vehicle parking on-site.
Over at St. Joseph’s, the celebration of life ceremony will begin at 10:30 a.m. and hikers are expected to depart at half-and-hour later.
Those taking part in the hike will have the opportunity to complete either a one, three or five kilometre walk through the neighborhood surrounding St. Joseph’s Lifecare Centre (99 Wayne Gretzky Pkwy.), and will return to the event location for lunch.
Noting that it’s a family-friendly event, there will be several on-going activities taking place on the grounds for youth of all ages including Lightning McQueen, Disney princesses and movie characters, Doug “the Great” Hunt, Rossini the Magician and Edu-trainer, Bluey, and Brent the Balloon Guy.
Powell said that overall, she and the team are looking forward to welcoming everyone back to Hike or Bike for Hospice.
“It’s just such a lovely community remembrance event and we encourage people to come out and participate,” she said. “We see a lot of families that come back year after year, and every year we have new families that join and it’s just an amazing event. It’s really a reflection of what a caring community can accomplish together.”
While this year’s goal is to raise $180,000 for Stedman Community Hospice, Powell said that they would like to be able to push it even further and raise $200,000 if they can.
As of Wednesday, April 15, $65,405.22 has been raised online, with this year’s event ambassador, the Farras-Mills family, known as “Team Patti” in the lead with $10,574.40.
Walking in honour of Patti Ferras-Mills, the team was last year’s top fundraiser.
Kimberly De Jong’s reporting is funded by the Canadian government through its Local Journalism Initiative.The funding allows her to report rural and agricultural stories from Blandford-Blenheim and Brant County. Reach her at kimberly.dejong@brantbeacon.ca.
