The Rick Hansen Relay was in full motion last week as it made its way through Bowden, Innisfail and Penhold.
Crowds gathered at the Innisfail Public Library Thursday afternoon as the last medal bearer, Duane Daines, made his way along Highway 54 and into the gathering area.
“This has been a big honour for me,” said Daines to the crowd, of being chosen to wear the medal for his 25-metre portion.
Daines spoke about how he met Rick Hansen in 1995 after a rodeo accident landed him in a wheelchair. He said Hansen's words were inspirational and encouraged him to live life positively.
“You have to live life every day and make it special.”
Daines organized a charity auction the weekend prior to the event and presented a cheque of $12,270 to the Rick Hansen Foundation.
“It brings me great joy and great pleasure to be a small part of this event,” said Mayor Jim Romane who also carried the medal for a 25-metre stint.
Also speaking was MLA Luke Ouellette who said he was happy to see “everyone get involved with an inspirational fellow like Rick Hansen.”
Denver Daines sang O Canada and helped Duane Daines return the medal to be passed on the following morning.
Joel Ray kicked off the leaving ceremony from École Innisfail Middle School the next day.
“It's a huge honour and I'm happy I get to do this for the school and the town,” he said before an assembly of students from the middle school and École St. Marguerite Bourgeoys, as well as members of the public.
Students from various schools lined 52 Avenue and cheered as the Rick Hansen bus and medal bearers went down the road heading towards Penhold.
A few dozen people turned out at the Penhold Regional Multiplex on the morning of March 2 to greet medal bearer Tara Wells and the relay team.
“My experience so far has been great,” said Wells, the community services manager for Penhold and the last medal bearer for the town. “Being nominated was an absolute honour.”
Penhold mayor Dennis Cooper said the original Rick Hansen Man in Motion tour stop in Penhold 25 years ago helped inspire ensuring town facilities are accessible to all people.
“You left an impression on us,” Cooper said.
The other Penhold medal bearers were Leona Broad, Landon Schultz and Debbie Mayberry.
The Rick Hansen Relay celebrated the 25-year anniversary of the Rick Hansen Man in Motion Tour. The relay tour involved more than 7,000 people across Canada recreating the run, with each person doing a certain portion of the distance.
