By Kristine Jean
Westlock News Staff
WESTLOCK – Skye Byrt and her daughter Bobbie need no motivation to help reach new fundraising goals this year for the Stollery Children’s Hospital in Edmonton.
“Ideally we just smash it and we keep going,” said Skye Byrt. “We just run further and we fundraise more money. The sky’s the limit.”
In fact, the mother-daughter duo from Westlock — who are participating in their second consecutive Million Reasons Run in 2024 — recently did just that, surpassing their 100-km goal with 101 km and raising above their $5,000 goal with more than $15,378 raised so far.
Every May, runners across Canada lace up to support their local children’s hospital, and for the past two years, Skye and Bobbie Byrt have run and raised money for the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton.
“You have from May 1 to 31 to accumulate as many kilometres as you can and to fundraise as much as you can,” said Skye Byrt. “Last year we ran 65 km together — I run every single kilometer pushing Bobbie (in a stroller) and we fundraised just over $3,000 and this year our goal is to run at least 100 km and to fundraise at least $5,000.”
It’s a fundraiser that is dear to their hearts. Bobbie Byrt, who will be three years old this summer, was born in July 2021 to Skye and Mitch Byrt, and since then, the Stollery has played a significant role in their lives.
“Bobbie has had many nights in the Stollery. She started her life there and spent a few months when she was really little and has been in and out,” she said.
Bobbie Byrt was born with a rare birth defect, an omphalocele, heart defects, and a genetic variant that is unique to only her. She had her first surgery when she was just a day old and has benefited from the staff and services of the Stollery.
"We’re always just completely blown away with the care and the tremendous people that work there,” said Skye Byrt. “We just view this (fundraiser) as a really good way for us to give back to a place that’s given so much to us.”
Skye Byrt also noted the positive impact the Stollery has had on families across the region and how the hospital and staff have touched many lives. She said they understand how important the hospital is and “feel so fortunate to have it so close.”
Skye Byrt said the family is grateful for the Stollery and are thrilled to be able to do their part to fundraise for such a great cause.
More than 1,500 Canadians from coast to coast are running in the month-long fundraiser for children’s hospitals across Canada. Westlock and area residents wishing to donate to Skye and Bobbie Byrt’s run can visit their page at www.millionreasons.run/fundraisers/skyebyrt/mrr-24.
