Meaningful family memories at ‘Steps for Hope’

By Nikesha Burgess and family

Participating in The Catholic News’ Steps for Hope 1K and 5K Walk/Run has become a meaningful experience for my family and me. This year marked our second year participating and the third Catholic News event that we have attended. Each event continues to leave us with wonderful memories, stronger family bonds, and a greater appreciation for health, faith, and community spirit.

I participated alongside my son, Kai, and my mother, Joyce, and that alone made the experience extra special. We all run and walk for different reasons. First and foremost, we do it for our health.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, my mother contracted the virus. A year after she had a minor surgery. It was a very difficult and worrying time for our family, but by God’s grace she recovered fully and is doing well today.

Since then, we have become even more aware of the importance of taking care of our health and staying active. Events like these encourage us to continue making healthier lifestyle choices while also spending quality time together.

Another reason we participate is because Kai absolutely loves running. From the time he was a baby, he seemed to have endless energy. Sometimes we joke that he ran before he even walked.

Seeing his excitement and enthusiasm makes the experience even more enjoyable for all of us. He enjoys the long route and being surrounded by so many people sharing the same positive energy.

We also joined the event to support our Santa Rosa/Malabar Cluster community. We hoped the trophy would come home to Santa Rosa this year, but we will try harder for next year.

The Catholic News’ Steps for Hope Walk/Run for my family and me is more than just a race; it is an event that brings people together in faith, encouragement, and fellowship.

It gives families, friends, and parish communities an opportunity to connect while supporting a good cause. There is always such a warm and uplifting atmosphere, and everyone encourages one another along the way.

This year’s experience was excellent. The event was well-organised—stress-free bib collection, energetic, and enjoyable from beginning to end.

I must admit that in my haste to register, I probably gave Ms Camille [Ramdial-Cumberbatch, Brand Manager] a little headache, but she remained patient, kind, and supportive throughout the process. Her helpful attitude truly reflected the welcoming spirit of the event, and I appreciated her assistance very much.

Doing this as a family is one of the best parts of the experience. Having my mother and son there with me makes every moment more meaningful. Whether we are walking together, laughing, cheering each other on, or simply trying to see who crosses the finish line first, we all enjoy the atmosphere.

It creates memories that we will treasure for years to come. It reminds us that fitness and faith can bring generations together in a beautiful way. I look forward to participating again in the future.