Terry Fox's legacy lives on in the Lakes District.
A crowd of local residents laced up their running shoes to participate in the annual Terry Fox Run held at Francois Lake last weekend.
Registration for the event began at 12 noon at the Francois Lake Hall. By the time the charity even began one hour later a crowd had gathered.
The fall harvest auction, an annual fundraising tradition at the local Terry Fox Run also followed.
Local volunteers Carla Carlson and Tammy Zayac said the event is always one they look forward to on the calendar.
"The community is the key to the success of the local Terry Fox Run," said Carlson, adding that they receive support from every corner of the community, from locals baking goods for the auction, participating in the event and donations from local businesses.
"We had humble beginnings, but the event has grown and the community support is phenomenal,"
Carlson has been volunteering with the event since it began in 1981, while Zayac has been volunteering for the past five years.
This year is the 31 annual Terry Fox Run to be held in the Lakes District in honour of the Port Coquitlam hero, who passed away on June 28, 1981. In 1980, Fox, with one leg amputated, set out on a cross Canada mission he called the 'Marathon of Hope'. He aimed to raise money and awareness for cancer research and although the spread of his cancer eventually forced him to end his quest after 143 days and 5,373 kilometres, his efforts resulted in a long lasting, worldwide legacy.
The Terry Fox Run fundraiser has grown to involve millions of participants in over 60 countries across the globe and is now the world's largest one day fundraiser for cancer research.
A Terry Fox Run has been held in Burns Lake every year since 1981 without interruption and has been generously supported by he local community.
According to Donna White, the provincial director of The Terry Fox Run Foundation B.C. Burns Lake has raised a total of $355,368.40 since 1986 when the foundation began keeping records.
Since 1986 there has also been a cumulative total of 55,000 participants in the local event and 385 volunteers over the years.
"This is amazing for a small community," White said.
Zayac said local residents generously donate items year after year to be auctioned off at the Fall Harvest Auction.
Local art, crafts, handiwork, antique furniture, gift baskets, fresh cut bunches of flowers, baked goods, fresh vegetables and preserves fill the Francois Lake Hall to the brim on the day of the run, and this year was no different.
Volunteers arrive at the Francois Lake Hall the day before the event to prepare.
"We get a lot of help, it is a pretty well oiled machine. We are so thankful to the community, the support is amazing," Zayac said.
As well as raising funds in the name of Terry Fox for cancer research, locals have a great time sharing the day with family and friends.
It is also an opportunity for locals to remember loved ones who have passed away from cancer.
"I think over the last 10 to 15 years the event has become more popular. We see and hear cancer touching the lives of people almost every day. Volunteering makes you feel good," Zayac added.
Carlson said, "Our little community often raises more than communities like Kelowna. Last year we raised more than $20,000 and we have also been number two for fundraising in the province."
This year a total of $16,823 was raised by the local community for the foundation.
“We has overwhelming support for the community,” Carlson said.