More people than ever before braved wet weather on Saturday to take part in the Adrian Oliver Memorial Run in support of Honour House.
The fourth annual fundraiser, held at Deer Lake Park, saw more than 300 people turnout for the run, including officers from Burnaby RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department, plus members of the United States Border Patrol, Vancouver Emergency Response Team, RCMP Emergency Response Team and civilians.
“It was a great turnout,” said Craig Longstaff, general manager of Honour House.
Honour House is the sole recipient of the funds raised through the run. The money goes towards operating costs for the New Westminster-based facility, which is a home away from home for military personnel and first responders and their family while they’re in the Lower Mainland for medical treatment.
While the money raised during this year’s event still needs to be counted, Longstaff estimates the event raised well over $30,000 for Honour House, if not more than $40,000.
“Last year, the run raised over $40,000 for us so I expect it to be more,” he said. “It’s been growing every year.”
The run is in memory of RCMP Const. Adrian Oliver who was killed while on duty in Surrey back in 2012. It was started four years ago by Oliver’s family and they continue to organize the event every year. Both Adrian’s brother Ben and father Joe are members of the RCMP. (Ben is a constable with the Burnaby RCMP and Joe is assistant commissioner of the RCMP and based in Ottawa.)
The first event in 2013 raised about $3,000 for Honour House while in its second year $17,000 was raised. Last year, the run raised $40,000.
“You can see it’s like a massive, massive leap each year,” Longstaff said.
If you missed the run but would still like to donate to Honour House, you can do so directly through the Honour House Society’s website at honourhouse.ca/publications/donate.
For more information on the Adrian Oliver Memorial Run go to www.adrianoliverrun.com.
