Halifax Road Hammers on the run to make #Stridesforshelter and help the homeless

Although COVID-19 health restrictions require them to run apart, members of the Halifax Road Hammers will come together in spirit in December and pound the pavement to raise funds and awareness around the city’s ever-increasing issue of homelessness.

One of the largest running clubs in Nova Scotia, the Halifax Road Hammers’ members have been finding new ways to stay connected in recent months while gathering and running in large numbers hasn’t been possible.

Concerned about new statistics showing more than double the number of homeless people in Halifax since this time last year, the club has launched the #StridesForshelter campaign.

The Road Hammers will split up into 30 teams of four runners, each running 477 km — representing the number of homeless in Halifax — and are asking friends, family and community members to join the campaign in support with a donation to Shelter Nova Scotia.

“We have a group of incredible runners on our team, but more impressive than their running feats has been the resiliency they have shown over the course of the last year,” says the club’s coach, Lee Mccarron.

“This is a group of people who each have personal challenges and obstacles they have had to overcome during the pandemic — and yet they have found a way to stay focused and supportive of each other throughout.

“I wanted to package up that energy, grit and determination and offer it to a group of people who need our help.”

As the Road Hammers reach their finish line of more than 14,000 km, supporters can help from the virtual sidelines by donating to Shelter Nova Scotia at www.shelternovascotia. com/contribute.

When donating online, make sure to credit the #Stridesforshelter initiative in the “Who are you honouring?” field on the website.

“The support of our community is critical in what we do at Shelter Nova Scotia.

“We provide support to over 1,300 people a year and operate six facilities 24- 7,” says Shelter Nova Scotia’s fundraising manager Jayme Lynn Butt.

“By supporting us, you are supporting the province’s most vulnerable populations.”