Rain was in the weather forecast all week leading up to the 2024 Peterborough Butterfly Run. However the skies cleared the morning of April 28th and the sun warmed Millennium Park, bolstering the energy and comradery that permeated the crowd. Over 1000 people came out for the event to participate in the 1KM Kids Fun Run, 1KM Memorial Walk or the 5KM Run/Walk. Every one of those 1000 plus participants, plus many more supporters and volunteers, where there to show their support for friends, family, co-workers, and even people they’ve never met, who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or are unable to conceive. 

Millennium Park was filled with fun and friendship as people had butterflies painted on their faces, had fun with the photo booth, shopped at the butterfly boutique, danced and sang with the DJ, and had their picture taken with the stilt walker butterfly. Underlying this comradery however was the purpose of supporting families and individuals in our community. Although donations are still coming in and being counted, the event raised over $92,000!  

“What an amazing day. Our hearts are full” said Vince Bierworth, Executive Director for the GPHSF, Your Family Health Team Foundation, Event Organizers. “On behalf of our Foundation, the Peterborough Butterfly Run committee and Partners in Pregnancy Clinic, thank you to everyone who supported the 2024 Peterborough Butterfly Run. It was great to feel the fellowship, support, and comradery of the crowd, which is what the event has always been about. No matter what format the event has taken, there are so many that support its mission. For that we are very grateful.” 

The top three fundraising teams were Macks Pack, The White Family and Team Bene’s Buddies. The top 3 individual fundraisers were Stephanie Sutton, Rebecca Mcevoy and Cally White.  

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, more than 800 bereavement kits have been created to be provided to families and individuals by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team and PRHC.  Our Bereavement kits are put together and distributed by a group of volunteers. They contain comfort items, memorabilia, and grief support. They are distributed by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team, PRHC, local physicians and mental health clinicians. They may also be requested by email at ptbobutterflyrunkits@gmail.com

Funds raised also go back into making sure that the Peterborough Butterfly Run can continue year after year to build support and community around those who have experienced a loss during pregnancy, the loss of a child, or are unable to conceive.

If you would like to donate to support the Peterborough Butterfly Run, you can at any time by visiting by clicking here.

For more information, please contact Vince Bierworth at Vince@GPHSF.ca or 705 740 8074 ext. 101.

Funds raised at the event have been used to provide ongoing specialized education in Perinatal Bereavement Care to healthcare providers across Peterborough City and County, establish more than 10 lending libraries for individuals and their families located across Peterborough City and County, as well as the development of bereavement kits for families and individuals who experience early and later pregnancy loss and infant loss. Since 2018, more than 800 bereavement kits have been provided to families and individuals by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team and PRHC.  

Our Bereavement kits are put together and distributed by a group of volunteers. They contain comfort items, memorabilia, and grief support. They are distributed by health care providers with the Peterborough Family Health Team, PRHC, local physicians and mental health clinicians. They may also be requested by email at ptbobutterflyrunkits@gmail.com 

For more details email  Vince@GPHSF.ca

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