On Sunday, June 13, 2010, thousands of people will gather in Coronation Park to participate in the 7th annual Walmart Walk for Miracles. The family-friendly five-kilometre walk is one of twelve annual walks happening across Canada that help to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network.

The walk is a wonderful opportunity for family and friends to come together for a day of fun, music and family friendly activities. Participants are encouraged to be creative – get dressed up or sing songs along the way – and make the most of their experience.

John Lawrence, Director of Corporate Social Responsibility at Walmart Canada discusses the sense of pride the company takes in hosting the annual event.

“What began as a single walkathon in Toronto has expanded to 12 cities nationwide, raising millions for Canadian children’s hospitals,” he says. “Every one of our associates and customers can relate to the need for children’s health and happiness and it is their support that continues to drive the success of the event.”

Since 2004, the Walk has raised more than $6 million for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. The money raised by each walk is donated to the local children’s hospital foundation, in this case SickKids Foundation. It helps to fund highest priority needs including lifesaving equipment, ground-breaking research and special programs designed to help care for patients and their families.

The Walk in Toronto has generated more than $2.5 million for SickKids Foundation alone!

Lawrence explains “as a father myself, there is no cause more important to me than children's health and I appreciate having one of the best children's hospitals in the world, The Hospital for Sick Children, right here in my own backyard.”

In 2009, $1.3 million was raised for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals from all 12 walks across the country. Last year, Children’s Miracle Network member hospitals in Canada helped care for more than 2.6 million sick and injured children. For more information or to register for the Walk, please visit www.walmartwalkformiracles.ca.