ENFIELD: The sound of runners making their way into Enfield Tuesday morning Sept. 22 was a welcome one, as members of HMCS Halifax continued their annual Run for Wishes in support of Make-A-Wish Canada.
The relay-style fundraiser is in its 22nd year, with members of HMCS Halifax travelling across Nova Scotia to raise money to help make wishes come true for children living with critical illnesses.
The crew is hoping to raise $60,000 — enough to grant six wishes for Nova Scotia children, according to HMCS Halifax member Jeri MacGillivary.
The runners arrived in the Enfield area shortly after 11 a.m. Tuesday after completing a roughly 20-kilometre leg from Milford to the Irving Big Stop in Enfield.
MacGillivary said the running team had started that morning in Milford after travelling from Truro.
“I tried to get them a nice jaunt that was going to be mostly flat,” she said with a laugh, adding the runners completed the 20-kilometre stretch to the Big Stop and arrived “pretty smiling” and happy with their effort.
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The advance team that arrived ahead of the runners spent about 90 minutes connecting with the community and collecting donations.
They could be found at the Tim Hortons drive-thru exit, at the stop signs near the intersection leading out from Tim Hortons and the Big Stop, and at the entrance to the Irving Big Stop.
The Run for Wishes began in Sydney last Friday, with different members taking part in various legs as the group works its way across the province.
MacGillivary said the reception from communities along the route has been tremendous.
“Support has been absolutely fantastic,” she said. “We’ve had really good turnouts in every … leg we’ve been to. Everybody has been exceptionally kind.”
The journey continues toward Halifax before the runners head west in the coming days, with stops planned toward Windsor and into the Annapolis Valley before the provincial journey wraps up in Yarmouth.
The official 2026 Run for Wishes runs from Sept. 18 to Sept. 27. Make-A-Wish® Canada
For MacGillivary, Tuesday’s Enfield stop was especially meaningful.
HMCS Halifax has been taking part in Run for Wishes for 22 years, and she said sailors take pride in giving back to the communities they serve, particularly when children are involved.
“When they said that we had the opportunity that we were going to stop in Enfield, I was like that is four kilometres away from my house, so I am stoked to be here,” MacGillivary said.
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Make-A-Wish Canada says its mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
The organization says more than 40,000 wishes have been granted across Canada since 1983, while 43 wishes were granted in Nova Scotia last year.
The organization also notes that a child in Canada is diagnosed with a critical illness approximately every two hours, highlighting the ongoing need for support.
For the HMCS Halifax crew, every kilometre and every donation collected along the way is another step toward giving a child and their family something positive to look forward to during an incredibly difficult time, said S2 Burke.
The Run for Wishes continues across Nova Scotia this week, with the HMCS Halifax crew relying on the support of communities along the route to help turn those miles into wishes.
Want to help? You can support the HMCS Halifax Run for Wishes and help Make-A-Wish Canada grant life-changing wishes to children with critical illnesses by making a donation online. Donate to the Run for Wishes here.
