More than $40K raised at Teddy Bear Walk in Sydney, N.S.

Hundreds of people came out for the seventh annual Teddy Bear Walk for Ronald McDonald House Charities in Sydney, N.S., on Saturday.

The event was held at Sydney’s Open Hearth Park.

Organizers said the funds raised will help Cape Breton families stay at the newly-opened Ronald McDonald House in Halifax while their children are receiving treatment at the IWK Children’s Hospital across the street.

Michelle Kennerknecht, co-chair of this year’s event, said last year alone 97 Island families stayed a total of 519 nights.

“It alleviates costs, instead of a hotel,” Kennerknecht said. “Travel, meals, they can be close to home. The new house is actually right across the street from the IWK now, so they can just walk across the crosswalk.”

Kennerknecht said the fundraising goal for 2025 is $40,000.

Late Saturday afternoon, local radio personality Tashia Lee – who emceed the Teddy Bear Walk – said that the fundraising goal was surpassed with a total of more than $43,000.

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