Third annual Run for Rose fundraiser hosts over 400 participants

Ian Dickson, community engagement and fundraising coordinator for the Hospice, said they hope to see the event get to 500 participants in the coming years. He added that their pool of sponsors and field of supporters also continues to grow.

“Over the last two events before this run, we raised $260,000 between those first two, and I know we’re going to add over $100,000 today. We’re already at that point where I could safely say that we’re going to be at that number and it doesn’t happen without people coming out and participating. It’s all those people that are supporting [and] the businesses that come on board and sponsor our events.”

People registered in the Run for Rose had the option to partake in either a 2km family walk, a 2km individual walk/run, a 5km walk/run, or 10 km run. Once they crossed the finish line, participants could enjoy a burger via the Wayne Tash Memorial BBQ, listen to some live entertainment from The Project, and even try their luck in a raffle with prizes that were donated from sponsors of the event.

Prior to embarking on their 2km, 5km, or 10km journeys, a few words were said from some of the sponsors and leaders of the event. Dane Sanderson, a councillor for the Chakastaypasin Band, made a donation on behalf of James Smith Cree Nation, while Malcolm Jenkins also made the announcement that he would match all donations to the Hospice for the day, up to $25,000.

All funds raised from the event go back into the Hospice for general operations to keep beds free of charge for people and families who need to use the facility.

“The goal from the very beginning was to not have to charge people when they come to stay at the hospice, and so we’re staying true to that by holding fundraisers like this,” said Dickson. “Gratefully, we get money from the provincial government every year and that covers most of what we need, but not quite all in order to provide that level of care that we’ve gotten such a good reputation in the community for.”

Premier Scott Moe was also on hand, who said the provincial government is proud to support facilities like Rose Garden Hospice, adding that the government is committed to improving healthcare across Saskatchewan and here in Prince Albert like with the new Victoria Hospital.

“When we had a discussion about [the Victoria Hospital] and about the community share versus the provincial share, it was very important for the provincial government to come forward and fund that provincial share so that this could happen. So that the communities could come together to raise money to ensure that we have the services that are outside the hospital that really contribute to the continuum of care and the quality of care for families in this particular area of the province.”

Community figure Malcolm Jenkins (left) shares a few thoughts with Premier Scott Moe during the opening remarks for the 2026 Run for Rose. (Image Credit: Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

Since the Hospice opened in August 2023, Dickson said there have been over 400 people that have come through the facility, adding they’re maintaining around an 80 per cent capacity rate today. He continued by teasing an idea that was presented by Malcolm Jenkins earlier in the day regarding the need for a second hospice across the street.

“He likes to put bugs in people’s ears about that,” Dickson laughed.

“We have that land; that was always the idea. I think we’ve proven at this point that we can maintain this, [and that] there is a need for it. Again, we’re not just serving Prince Albert, but all of northern Saskatchewan.”

Donations can be made to the Rose Garden Hospice by clicking here.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com

by Logan Lehmann

Third annual Run for Rose fundraiser hosts over 400 participants

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