A former Orillia resident is marking his 65th birthday early this weekend by walking from Thornhill to Fern Resort, and two organizations will benefit from his trek.
Tim Herron grew up in Orillia and now lives in Thornhill. After watching a documentary about Danish golfer Thomas Bjorn, who walked more than 200 kilometres in Europe to raise money for charity and draw attention to the Ryder Cup, Herron was inspired.
“I thought, ‘I want to do something significant for my 65th birthday. Rather than a tattoo or jumping out of an airplane, why don’t I do a walk?’” he said.
He will set off Friday morning from the Thornhill Golf Club and arrive at Fern Resort in Ramara on Saturday.
He’s calling it Tim’s 65 for 65 — 65 miles (about 105 kilometres) to celebrate his 65th birthday, which is Sept. 10.
He is hoping people will celebrate with him by donating to two organizations: the Orillia Youth Centre and Participation House in Markham.
Herron volunteers for Participation House, but he chose to raise money for the Orillia Youth Centre, too, because it’s a cause close to the heart of his sister, Orillia realtor Marci Csumrik, a passionate supporter of the organization.
“I want people to participate in charity and philanthropy in general,” he said. “We make donations because of an emotional attachment, and I have an emotional attachment to the Orillia Youth Centre and Participation House.”
He is hoping to raise a total of $25,000.
He also hopes his journey this weekend will set an example for his children.
“If I can be inspirational for my kids, that’s what I want,” said Herron, who added he was young when his father died.
When he arrives at Fern Resort, he will have something special to leave there.
Herron used to spend his summers at the lakeside resort and, at some point, came into possession of a Fern Cottage Golf Trophy from almost 50 years ago.
“It will probably mean more to the Downing family than it does to me,” he said of the Fern Resort owners.
The gesture will also be “a subtle nod to Bjorn,” he said.
To learn more about the walk and how to donate, click here.
