A love of running and a compassionate heart has a Williams Lake 18-year-old taking on a 31-day challenge in support of the BC Children’s Hospital.
Manav Pooni is participating in his first Million Reasons Run.
He’ll be running throughout the month of May and and hopes to cover at least 200-kilometres while raising funds for the Vancouver hospital which provides specialized pediatric services to more than 99,000 kids each year.
“I’m going to be trying my best to start the first day off, depending on the weather, with a marathon and I also want to end the month with a marathon as well,” Pooni said.
For Pooni, the BC Children’s Hospital holds extra personal, special meaning to him.
He grew up in Vancouver and recalled a terrifying incident in which his brother, Mahaveer, spent several months in hospital after ingesting some small soaps and bleach.
His youngest brother, Harveer, was born with Down Syndrome and also visited the hospital frequently.
These experiences have shaped Pooni, who recalled the caring staff. In the hospital a child next to his brother, Mahaveer, another child had no parents and was treated by staff as if they were one of their own.
“It’s a comfortable environment that deserves as much support as possible,” Pooni said, adding he has always felt a strong responsibility to look out for his brothers.
“It hurts to see,” Pooni added of seeing children suffering and going through illness. “You want to hope the best for the kids.”
Pooni has currently raised more than $350 of his $2,000 goal.
He’ll be also be lacing up for a cause in the Bright Futures 5K on Sunday, April 26 starting and finishing at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The five-kilometre fundraising walk/run for BC Children’s Hospital starts at 10 a.m. with an entry fee of $25 per person or $40 per family.
Pooni said after he and his friend will be heading to the Foundry where there will be a barbeque.
“I love the runner’s high,” Pooni said of running which he is currently easing back into following an injury.
He tries to do 10-kilometres every two days, and usually runs throughout the city starting from the high school and up to Signal Point Gaming.
In the winter he would put music on his headphones and run in the snow, looking up at the stars.
“I just enjoy it,” Pooni said. “No matter the weather I just love to run.”
To support Pooni’s fundraiser for BC Children’s Hospital which he said any amount helps, go to https://www.millionreasons.run/fundraisers/manavpooni
Pooni will be attending Camosun College later this year in Victoria for criminal justice and said he wants to become a police officer.