Residential school survivors fundraiser gaining steam as run begins

KAMLOOPS — A Kamloops man is amazed at the donations and support he’s received as he gets ready to start his fundraising run on Monday night (June 7).

Brock Fraser launched Brock’s 215km for 215 Children Run & Fundraiser shortly after Tk’emlups te Secwepemc discovered 215 unmarked grave sites on May 27.

Starting with a modest goal of $500, Brock Fraser has now surpassed the $35,000 mark on the Facebook page. He’s also received a $5,000 donation from a family friend.

“It’s turned into something I can’t even imagine,” he said. “The news articles we’ve done have been shared thousands and thousands of times. I’m getting support from all over Canada, reserves in the U.S. People are backing the whole thing. I’ve got people internationally now that are asking how they can use their funds to help donate to the cause as well, so that’s something I’ll be looking into shortly.”

Fraser will be running an average of 20 kilometres a day for the next two weeks, starting and finishing at the former Kamloops residential school He’s hoping to pad the fundraising totals.

“With a couple weeks of running to go, I’m hoping that the donations don’t stop,” said Fraser. “We can get more. Support the people. Please donate or consider donating if you can.”

All the money raised goes directly to the Indian Residential School Survivors Society, which provides emotional and financial supports to First Nations impacted by residential schools.