Man Runs 24 Hours for Grade 7 to Raise Money for Winnipeg Homeless Shelter – Winnipeg

Junel Malapad has been running Boxing Day to raise money for the Siloam Mission homeless shelter in Winnipeg for seven years now.

« I’m going to run about 100-160km, somewhere in between, » he said.

He started running at midnight on December 26 and he won’t stop running until midnight on December 27.

“It’s a 3.3 kilometer loop, which I stop at when I need to. But my plan is to run around the clock in the Forks area.

The avid cross-country runner only stops for snacks, bathroom breaks and short interviews.

At 1 p.m., about 100 people came to join him on part of his journey, Malapad said.

Over the past seven years, he has raised over $95,000 for Siloam Mission and has a donation truck parked along his run loop at The Forks.

He told Global News the race started as a way to avoid consumerism. The following winter, he heard of a homeless person freezing to death in a bus cabin and decided to help.

« Instead of spending money, we are able to help the community in this way, » he said.

« I’m here in the cold, I’ll be here for many hours because I want to support people who don’t want to be here.

1:58
Homeless in winter in Winnipeg: Woman found unresponsive at bus shelter on Monday sparks conversation

« I am happy to use my energy as I like to help them. »

Malapad said he was so grateful to have the ability to run and to be able to help make a change along the way.

— With files by Iris Dyck of Global

© 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.