Vancouver Island woman launches A Million Steps for Child Care run Campbell River to Victoria, October 9-16, 2007

Campbell River resident Shelagh Germyn is beginning an eight-day marathon run from her hometown to Victoria to raise awareness of the urgent need for a quality, affordable and accessible universal early learning and child care system for BC's and Canada's children and families.

Germyn will be starting her A Million Steps for Child Care journey in Campbell River on Tuesday, October 9 and plans to arrive at the Victoria Legislature Tuesday, October 16.

Communities along the A Million Steps for Child Care route are organizing local events in support. Vancouver Islanders are invited to join Germyn by biking, running, or walking with her along the way. Local residents are also asked to create a banner decorated with the name of their community and colourful children's footprints. The banners will be displayed at the Legislature at the end of the run.

Earlier this year, Germyn saw a local town hall meeting on the effects of provincial and federal child care funding cuts. She explains that she was so touched by the stories of parents and their struggles to find and afford child care that she decided to do this run to raise awareness about the need for more public child care funding.

Germyn, married for 29 years and with two grown children, says "I love children and I also love to run. So these are inspirations behind my A Million Steps for Child Care run."

A Million Steps for Child Care schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 9 7:30-8:30am Free Pancake Breakfast at the CR Common (former Ironwood Mall) in Campbell River
8:30am Parade to Campbell River City Hall
10am Shelagh Germyn starts her run
6-8pm Spaghetti dinner at the Salish Building, Lewis Park, behind Courtenay Rec Centre

Wednesday, Oct. 10 Leave Courtenay, arrive Qualicum

Thursday, Oct. 11 Leave Qualicum, arrive Parksville

Friday, Oct. 12 Leave Parksville, arrive Nanaimo

Saturday, Oct. 13 Leave Nanaimo,
9-10am Send off event arrive Ladysmith
1pm Aggie Hall on 1st Ave, Chili lunch

Sunday, Oct. 14 Leave Ladysmith, arrive Duncan
4pm City Square, BBQ dinner

Monday, Oct. 15 Leave Duncan, arrive Victoria
7-8pm Potluck dinner, BCGEU auditorium, 2994 Douglas

Tuesday, Oct. 16 1pm Arrive at Legislature - celebration on the grounds!

For pdf version click here. 

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