HMCS Charlottetown Children's Wish run hits close to home for officer
Sub.-Lt. Adam Vaters's son received backyard playground through Children's Wish Foundation
The crew from HMCS Charlottetown is again running across P.E.I. to raise money for The Children's Wish Foundation, and this year, one of the participants has a close connection to the cause.
I hope many children here on Prince Edward Island can benefit the way that my son did.- Sub.-Lt. Adam Vaters
The crew is trying to raise $33,000 in the Run 4 Wishes 13th year.
While one team fundraises, the other runs 50 kilometres a day combined until they reach their goal of 250 kilometres, or the length of the Island.
Lt. Jeremy Arsenault says the team loves doing it year after year.
"We've been able to grant so many wishes and those children have actually come to our ship and they feel like part of the family, so it's really nice to reconnect with them every year in the summer coming back to the Island."
Sub.-Lt. Adam Vaters, from Lawrencetown, N.S., knows all too well how much the charity can help. His son was granted the wish of a backyard playground last year.
Giving back
Brayden was born with an immune-deficiency syndrome and received a bone marrow transplant when he was four months old. His illness means he can't play in public like other children because germs could prove life threatening.
"To see the look on his face, I mean I guess I can't really put it into words for you, but it was … it was amazing."
That's why Vaters jumped at the chance to join the run and give back.
"I feel very proud doing this and I hope many children here on Prince Edward Island can benefit the way that my son did," said Vaters.
"When you're looking ahead and you see that long, long road ahead of you, it's something you can take the extra step for."
The team will run and visit community events to fundraise until Sunday when they will run directly on to their ship, which will be docked in the port in Charlottetown.
