It was a brilliant Sunday morning for a charity run. The sky was clear and everyone dressed in their blue Miles for Smiles T-shirts were humming with good humour.

It was the second annual run to raise funds for Semiahmoo House Society's recreation and leisure programs, which provides for after-school programs, summer camps and field trips for youth with developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

I was in the first heat of nine, with some running and some walking the five kilometres. The course began at South Surrey Athletic Park amidst the tents and music, and wound around the South Surrey neighbourhood. There were many youth participating in and volunteering for the event, which was great to see.

I spoke with Michelle Shalinsky last week, one of the organizers for the event, and after writing the article in the Now in which she talked about Semiahmoo House and the great experiences the funding can provide for the youth, I thought "why not?" to running in the event myself. I live not too far away and what else would I be doing on a Sunday morning? Participating in fundraisers is a great way to support and get to know other people in the community.

Two weeks ago, I returned to Canada after nearly a year in China. While there, I was limited to running indoors, as the pollution made my lungs burn if I ventured outside the gym.

To run for a good cause and feel the energy in the air around a grass roots charity event was fantastic. I really urge everyone to lace up your running shoes and look for a run to take part in of the several that are held in this region each summer.

We live in a beautiful province and it's great to get out and appreciate our good health, the fresh air and give to a deserving cause.