CORNWALL, Ontario – David Merpaw finished up a ten day trek across Southern and Eastern Ontario on Friday, Aug. 24.
Merpaw ran from Hamilton, ON, to Cornwall to raise awareness and money for the Alzheimer’s Society.
“I’m just the runner,” he said. “But the real message in this is the volunteers. This disease takes a real toll on the families and especially the significant other. It feels like we are making a difference in fighting the disease.”
Merpaw’s journey took him through Hamilton, Toronto, Peterborough, Kingston, Ottawa, Hawkesbury and Montreal before he returned to Cornwall.
On his way back to Cornwall he was joined in Lancaster by the walker/ runner Bob Hardy. Hardy lost his mother to Alzheimer’s and wanted to join Merpaw for the last leg of his journey in solidarity.
“I had a tough run, but it isn’t as tough as someone who is dealing with this disease,” Merpaw said.
Merpaw explained that throughout his run he encouraged people to donate money to their local Alzheimer Society office.
This is the second year that Merpaw has done a run in support of the Alzheimer’s Society. Last year, he ran from Kingston to Cornwall.
Dave Merpaw’s mom and dad were waiting for him at the finish line at the Alzheimer’s Society office in Cornwall.
“He’s doing this for so long that we hardly worry anymore,” his father Clifford said. Clifford explained that his son has always had a passion for life and helping people.
