Rain, and cold wind failed to dampen the community spirit as runners gathered at the Mattamy National Cycling Centre (MNCC) on May 12th. It was the third annual Run for Milton organized by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at – Milton Chapter to raise money for the Milton District Hospital Foundation (MDHF).
Approximately 200 runners participated. “There has been more awareness of us, people see signs,” Rrace Coordinator Shazia said. Approximately 200 runners participated running over a 5 km flat course in the area around the velodrome. They have a goal of 500 for the fifth annual run. Saeed says she had people approaching her about how to be involved.
The group are pledging $100,000 over five years to MDHF. Mohammad Sultan Quershi works as the External Affairs Officer with the Milton chapter. Quershi stressed the importance of the hospital to a rapidly growing community. “As a humanitarian organization, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, we are into humanitarian work,” he said. The run for the cities go on in different locations across Canada, and around the world.
Azish Quershi won the kids race. “When I was passing everyone, at first I wondered how it was I did this. Quershi wants to be a doctor when he grows up. He believes the cause unites all the runners. “All of us are running together, and raising money for the same thing. That’s what connects us together,” he said.
Donna Libre was a first time participant on behalf of the International Cornerstone Fellowship. She appreciated the event’s ability to unify. “This is the best way for us to get together and unite in a diverse community.” Giving back was part of the group’s mandate. She was doing a 5 km marathon as part of a team of eight, and hopes to make their participation an annual event. “We want to make sure that we contribute to the community, especially Milton Hospital,” Libre said.
Milton District Hospital opened a 330,000 sq. ft expansion in October, 2017 including an enlarged Emergency Room, Maternal/ Newborn Unit, and the hospital’s first ever MRI Machine. The MDHF is responsible for providing the equipment. They recently announced an end to the “Our Home Our Hospital campaign in which events like charity played a big part. “Initiatives By Laura Steiner | Photos By: Denise Cooperwhite like the run for Milton go a long way to accomplishing that goal,” Hospital board member and donor Azim Rizvee said. For more on the Run for Milton visit their website: www.runformilton.com For more on the MDHF visit their website at: www.mdhf.ca
Photos By: Denise Cooperwhite