Motivated by the smiles of struggling children, Lyle and Errol Povah brought a support team of fundraisers and a load of drums through Prince George, BC on Thursday October 26th.
Lyle Povah led the crew on foot, jogging in from the Drum Run Adventure Tour's previous drumming event in Vanderhoof where the group lifted the spirits of locals there to raise money for the BC Children's Hospital Foundation.
Concerning the Northern BC leg of the journey alone, Lyle Povah stated, "We did drum circles in Prince Rupert, Terrace, Hazleton, Smithers, Burns Lake, Fraser Lake, Vanderhoof, and Prince George! Yeah, so, we've had fun meeting people in all the drum circles. And of course, I've run the whole way as well." They have raised about $30,000 of their $100,000 goal so far, since departing from Victoria, BC on foot.
The team started this journey September 10th out of a passion to help children. Errol Povah explained a core component of his brother Lyle's motivation, "He worked at a Children's Hospital for more than 32 years. He went in once a week as a music therapist. He would sing and play guitar for the kids just to help them through whatever trauma they might be going through there."
Lyle later indicated his passion as he spoke, "I've been inspired by the the tenacity, I guess? It's a funny word, but, just that kids can go through really hard, hard things. Then I come into the room and say, let's play! So, give me a shaker, or whatever, right? And sometimes, a kid is coming out of coma, and first thing they want to do is, hear some music, and, you know, mom and dad get to see their kids smiling. I've witnessed just amazing, amazing things."
Their mission to raise the edges of mouths into smiles along with raising a few dollars won't end in Prince George though. Now that the Northern BC leg of the tour is wrapped up, the gang heads south starting in Vernon on November 3rd and ultimately ending at the Vancouver Children's Hospital November 18th.
To get involved or support the cause, Lyle reminds us "If you go to drumrun.org, you'll find out information. You can volunteer. You can even join us on tour. Follow us on social media. But yes, please donate, donate, donate. Yay!"
Lyle Povah Runs and Drums to Raise money for BC Children's Hospital Foundation
Photo Credit - Ian Gregg