(From left): Kris Barker (Member, North Surrey Lions Club), Val Barker (President, North Surrey Lions Club), Gerard Bremault (CEO, The Centre for Child Development), Richard Bodnark (Secretary, Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society), Dylan Van Rooyen (Treasurer, Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society)
Surrey, BC – The Centre for Child Development is committed to ensuring the safety of the children and families they serve, their supporters, and staff in the midst of COVID-19. As all large events in BC are being postponed or cancelled, The Centre has decided to cancel their 19th Annual Run, Walk and Roll as an in-person event.
Each June, this event brings together hundreds of participants, including children with special needs, their families, volunteers and supporters to raise funds for much needed equipment and programs.
“Due to the ongoing challenges with COVID-19, we have decided to cancel our event this year,” said Gerard Bremault, CEO of The Centre for Child Development. “However, I would like to sincerely thank our long-time supporters the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society who donated $15,000 and the North Surrey Lions Club who donated $5,000. These two organizations have been with us since the inception of our event and their support during these times is laudable.”
Since 1953, The Centre for Child Development has been providing comprehensive medical rehabilitation programs and multi-disciplinary therapeutic services to children with a variety of special needs. Each year over 3,200 children are served through more than 30,000 sessions in Surrey, White Rock, Delta, and Langley. The Centre is a not-for-profit society and is accredited by CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities).
“We recognize the importance of the services being provided to medically fragile children at The Centre,” said Dylan Van Rooyen, Treasurer of the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society. “Our priority remains to help our most vulnerable residents and ensure our community comes out of this pandemic stronger together.”
“We have truly enjoyed being an integral part of the Run Walk and Roll for many years,” said Val Barker, president of the North Surrey Lions Club. “Our volunteers fundraise year round and we are very proud to be able to present a cheque to The Centre.”
Although the in-person event isn’t able to proceed, all our friends and supporters can join the Surrey Fire Fighters’ Charitable Society and the North Surrey Lions and continue to support The Centre for Child Development through online donations:
For additional information:
Judy K. Mann, VP Business Development
The Centre for Child Development
Judym@the-centre.org / 778-846-0397