SCOTSBURN
A walk of around 100 people in Scotsburn may not seem like a big deal, compared to a walk the size of Halifax’s, to the casual observer – but John Britton, with Muscular Dystrophy Canada begs to differ.
Britton took a break from counting up over $7,000 in funds raised by Pictou County residents to support research for muscular dystrophy, and said in an interview with The News that walks in small towns across Canada constitute the backbone of the Canadian effort against the muscle-wasting disease.
“Across the country, walks like this one are just as important as the ones that go on in cities like Halifax, Toronto Calgary or Vancouver,” said Britton, who noted that the many walks in smaller centres are almost more important than the bigger ones, because of how many of them there are across Canada.
The crowd that attended the walk in Scotsburn showed up early, and made their way along Scotsburn Road and the Jitney Connector Trail at a leisurely pace, with the sunny weather around lunchtime co-operating.
People of all ages participated, along with some people unable to walk rolling along in their chairs, in one of many events that bring in a total of $3 million a year, cross-country in support.
While participants filed into the Scotsburn Fire Department through the bay doors for food and refreshments, Britton noted that the Scotsburn walk, in particular, is one that he appreciates and enjoys every year.
“Walks like this are fantastic. That’s why we send staff to places like this. This is the fourth year I have been here. I made a point of coming down here to participate in this. I live in Halifax, but I got to know the people here really well the first time I covered the walk.” So, from the second walk in Scotsburn and onward, Britton requested to attend and help organize.
