Walkers exceed fundraising goal

Wednesday April 20, 2011

Riley Barkman’s “Helping to Make a Vision a Reality” Walkathon has raised more than $205,000 after a 700-kilometre journey.

Barkman and four walkers (Andrew Kaminawash, Stanley Barkman, Lawrence Morris and Matt O’Connell) set out from Sachigo Lake First Nation March 28 to raise funds for the CT Scanner Project at the Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre. The walkers arrived in Sioux Lookout April 13.

The walkathon raised enough money to meet the target of purchasing a CT scanner for the health centre. The scanner will be used to enhance emergency services in Sioux Lookout to ensure early detection and treatment in diagnosing patients.

Wasaya Group Inc. has led the fundraising effort to raise the $1.5 million since 2007 for the purchase of the scanner. The late Grace Teskey inspired the fundraising effort. She believed that the availability of a CT Scanner in Sioux Lookout would save lives by providing early detection of disease.