When it comes to supporting the Special Olympics, local communities in the area came out in droves.
Seeing a group of individuals parading through the main streets is now an annual event in many local communities.
Fergus might be considered no exception – except that it was. There were two walks held in that town on June 7.
The first involved local participants from the area while the second group was joined by the Wellington OPP Mounted Unit, police motorcycles, cyclists and another group of hearty participants.
Provincial Constable Angela Stiles, said on June 7 Wellington County hosted the Special Olympics Torch Run.
Stiles added police services in Ontario support Special Olympics Ontario.
Those Olympics are held for intellectually challenged individuals “and this is the number one community service event that the police support in Ontario.”
Stiles said this includes the Ontario Provincial Police, which puts a lot of effort into raising funds annually and within Wellington County.
She said the final leg of the day’s run is being held in Fergus.
Earlier in the day runs were held in Palmerston, Mount Forest, Rockwood and Erin, Stiles noted.
“It’s been quite a success and we have some Special Olympians here with us today,” she said. “The weather has held out, everyone’s smiling and we’re going to take a walk.”
She smiled noting that while it is called a torch run “we’re actually going to walk so everyone can participate.”
