Partici-Patrick wraps up with the Day of Champions

This years ParticiPatrick program has wrapped up with the Day of Champions at the Omischl Sports Complex.

One of the organizers is Bob Sampson.

He says two thousand students from all 4 local school boards began their work over 2 and a half months ago.

It includes 10 weeks of learning about Patrick Fortin who died after contracting HIV through tainted blood. As well, Sampson says the students have to run  42 Kilometres over 10 weeks including over 2.2 Kilometres on Monday.

All students who finished the job receive medals.

Sampson says this event is now in its 10th year.

He says this program was designed in Patrick’s memory and encourages kids to make healthy lifestyle choices.

Patrick contracted HIV  when he was 7 and died 16 years later in 2001.  His dream was Zero Aids .

Sampson says the education piece is part of the regular school  curriculum.

He says the program started here and has spread to other communities with a goal of it taking place at every school in the province.