Fundraising

To finish out our June of fundraising we set up a raffle at a family event

The SB&H donated to me some prizes and I was trying to figure out how to raise the most amount of money over the month and decided on our family party.

I had all of my pamphlets ready to share and armed Nick with them

And Maddie, my super-selling niece was in charge of the raffle tickets!

She went around to everyone at the party and sold all of the tickets!
I am definitely getting her help for all of my fundraising!

Thanks to these 2 we raised $255!

So Our total for this year is $845 for Nick's Cheering Squad!

Fundraising for our 6th SWWR

The Spirit Wheel Walk Run has been an annual event for the past 6 years.
We have walked in the sun, in the rain, in the cold and in the perfect weather (which of course is what I'm hoping for).

Our SWWR is about raising funds to support our association, the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association! This is the association that help to support families just like ours and really and truely knows that spina bifida is more than just a diagnosis.

It is a goofy smile

It is a unique taste in head-wear.

It is the joy of riding the Tea Cups (again and again)

It is about having your own hero

And knowing how to make people laugh

It is about loving unconditionally

And sharing a laugh

It is about working hard

And meeting new friends

It is about being a part of a family

and about taking the long way home

Spina bifida is so much more than a diagnosis. It is a life that is being fully lived

So if you want to come and support us, be part of Nick's Cheering Squad, then come and join our walk!

And if you want to fundraise, and raise money for our association, then you can donate to our SWWR and the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association through Nick's fundraising page

https://www.canadahelps.org/en/pages/nicks-cheering-squad-2/

Thank you for all of your support!

Aid4Alej

We went to a fundraiser this weekend. Raising money for a special little girl we have known for a number of years. Alejandra and her mother Antonella have joined us the last couple of years for our spipna bifida walk, we have done Conductive Education together as well as meeting in the Spina Bifida clinic baby group. And they will be at school together next year.

This is Antonella's second annual Aid4Alej event to raise money for stem cell treatments.

There were alot of fun things to do.

Katheryn was very excited about the face painting... and so was I

Nick was adamant that he did not want his face painted. Until the end of the night

It looked fantastic! 

There was music, but the kids were all over dancing to their own beat

After a bit of hesitation, Alejandra, Nickolas and Katheryn were all over the place together

There was also a photo-booth with costumes that Katheryn was excited about.

 

And live music by Danny Lamb a SB&H ambassador.

 

Katheryn got raffle tickets and picked out everything that she wanted.

And she guessed how many popcorn was in the bag!
And won!
Over 3333 kernels

 

We stayed until almost midnight, when the kids were turning into pumpkins

We went between the walker and wheelchair when Nick started getting tired.
As usual they were party animals and we had a lot of fun!

We even got to catch up on another SB family we haven't seen since baby group!

Can't wait for next year's Spring Fling!



Some Spirit

This year we have been a bit lax with our Spirit Wheel Walk Run for the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Ontario. I may have mentioned it before...

But today is the day!
The kids thought it was so cool that we were all wearing the same shirt!

We decided to try out a new location this year.

Starting at the Oshawa beach in Lakeview Park.

Somewhere to keep the kids occupied while we organize ourselves...

But not too exciting that they have a complete meltdown when it's time to go.
And of course it is a beautiful background for some pictures.

Here is our group of walkers
Thank you so much for coming out and walking with us!
Cheryl, Lisa, with Emily (broken hand and all) and Hannah
Gwenda and Gord Bartley
Jamie Mack (Laura sent her regards)
Jennifer Daviau and kids Emma and Mason - who were a big help!
Antonella and Alejandra and friend (sorry I don't have her name) with 2 month old son
of course Kyle, Amanda, Katheryn and Nickolas Ridding

Special thanks to my in-laws Marie with Shannen and Madison and Austen who helped with all the set-up, food, but weren't able to walk.

We got our family picture right before setting off.

We have a vareity of different 'rolls'
a wagon,

a wheelchair,

2 strollers,

even a scooter - but I don't have a picture.
No bikes this year.
There was lots of space to have a rest and let slower walkers to catch up

Even injured walkers did a great job!

Mostly we all stayed together

And had a chance to chat, catch up
And think how lucky we are to have each other.

Craziness and all!

The weather and the walk was beautiful
We had all sun, sun and sun!

And alot of the walk was surrounded by green and water

I recently found out that all of the trails in Oshawa are completely accessible!

Something that makes those boring summer days a little better.

We walked for over an hour and then took a bit of a breather before turning around and heading back

I even got a bit of a break from the camera - when Katheryn wanted to play photographer!

And then we were off again!

Nick got tired of his wheelchair and wanted some wagon rides

We set everything up in a little unused corner by the beach for our own picnic!
We had lots of people walk by and see our sign
Mental note for next year - definitely print out some of my information pamphlets for anyone who is interested (I say this every year)

We had a good layout of food

Nick has his favorites!

Nick had some time to walk with his walker - but no luck on the sand

We had Lake Ontario all ready and waiting for some cool down time!
Nick got brave...

Katheryn got braver!

The key a successful walk is to end ALOT dirtier than you started!

I think we were successful!

From beginning to end of our walk I think we had a great time!
We had friends and family, awareness and food.
We had wheels and feet and matching shirts.
We had fun, we had sun and even some shade when we needed it.
And it all ended with a good dip and sandcastles!

I don't have a total for what we raised, but I think it's somewhere in the $400 range.
Not nearly as well as we have done in previous years, but we certainly showed what spina bifida looks like!
If you feel like donating - http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=s10136 is the site, and just pick 2012 SWWR - Nick's Cheering Squad (Ridding Family) from the pull down menu. Or of course I can take donations in person or at work - until the end of June.