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Young agents of change behind inspiring Oro Kids Run (5 photos)

More than 200 kids raised more than $10,000 for local mental heath initiatives; Event 'tells them they're not alone'

More than 200 school kids raised more than $10,000 by taking part in the second annual Oro Kids Run event.

The event, held at Burl’s Creek this morning, featured two races, in which kids 14 and younger took part. The money raised goes towards the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) child and youth mental health program, through the RVH Foundation.

Despite the cold, rainy weather that prevailed for most of the morning, hundreds of kids, their families and local community organizations showed up to express support for the cause.

“It went really well last year, so we thought it would be a great way to get the community together again,” said Mikayla McDermott, 12, who started this last year with her twin sister as part of a school project.

As change agents, she and Madison McDermott, along with other kids, were asked to make a difference on an issue they were both passionate about. They chose child and youth mental health issues and addictions and combined it with their love for running.

“We know the best way to prevent mental health (issues) is to have healthy pleasures, and running is our healthy pleasure,” said Madison, adding the healthy pleasure also helps kids to stay physically fit.

As part of the project, Shanty Bay Public School students created artwork reflecting three ways of coping.

Madison and Mikayla said they focus on art, music, spending time with family, and reading.

Healthy pleasures, as the two sisters pointed out, can help create a positive, coping perspective for those facing problems.

“They can make you feel good about yourself and distract you from other things that are bothering you,” said Wil Laing, agreeing with the sisters.

He was running the 5-kilometre route.

If there’s ever a time when a friend is going through problems, said the 12-year-old Oro-Medonte resident, his approach would be to ask them if there is anything he can do to help.

Wijdan Fadholi, a Shanty Bay resident, said the event is an effective tool in starting a discussion around kids’ mental health.

“They hear about the cause in school, so they know the money is for kids who need some help,” she said.

Some parents were cheering on their kids as they ran along side, but Fadholi was on the sidelines encouraging her two kids was who were taking part in the 2.5-kilometre run.

“It's an event that gets them out there with all their friends and go for something that's healthy,” she said. “It teaches them activity, being fit, teamwork, because they're all in a group running for a purpose. It tells them they're not alone.”

The event kicked off early on Saturday and featured booths set up by community organizations, such as Lions Club, and frontline workers, such as the OPP.

Jen McDermott, Mikayla and Madison’s proud mother, said she was elated to see how the event had come along since last year.

“I'm really excited that it's happening again this year,” she said. “We have a lot of people coming back and there's discussion around mental health.”

The artwork challenge helps the next generation to understand that it's OK to talk about mental health issues, Jen said.

“It's important to know the healthy ways of coping and resources in the community,” she said.

During the month leading up the event, Jen said the kids at the school take part in an activity called Kids Strong.

“It’s practice twice a week where we talk about mental health issues,” she said. “We also talk about resilience, optimism, determination, and goal setting, because we hope kids will go on and apply these ways to their lives.”


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Mehreen Shahid

About the Author: Mehreen Shahid

Mehreen Shahid covers municipal issues in Cambridge
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