OTTAWA VALLEY – Legally blind 82-year-old Russell Mackay is walking from Beachburg to Ottawa to raise money for the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO). 

Mackay, known as Papa, wants to raise $25,000 and will match the first $5,000 donated.  Mackay, who is diabetic and legally blind, plans to walk 125 kilometres in 10 days.

The walk will start on Monday Aug. 24 at 8 a.m. departing from Beachburg Public School. 

He will walk along River Road into Arnprior, through Carp and into Ottawa with a goal of arriving by Sept. 3. 

“Since moving in to Beachburg from our farm, Papa walks up and down the village sidewalks religiously every day,” Sherrie Mackay said. “He decided to take that walk on the road to Ottawa to help raise money for CHEO.”

Mackay has a support staff with a trailer and convoy to walk with him, sharing stories and laughs along the way.

So far $3,850 has been raised and donations can be made on CHEO’s website. 

You can also follow along with the Papa Walks 4 Kids Facebook page to get updates and more information.