On June 21, the 12th annual The Longest Day Walk/Run event, which is normally held at Iona Park near Vancouver International Airport, is going virtual instead.

Held in June close to the longest day of the year — hence its namesake — the event gives members of the local travel industry from all sectors, including airline, agencies, tour operators and cruise lines, the opportunity to get together for a fun race to raise money for a local charity in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, often referred to as “Canada’s poorest postal code.”

Co-organizer David Elmy of The Travel Group in Vancouver, says “This is almost heartbreaking. We know the kind of hardships everyone in our industry are facing; yet everyone I talked to wanted to go ahead with the annual event to support those in even greater need in our city. I am amazed at the extraordinary compassion we are seeing from people hit so hard by this COVID-19 disaster.”   

On June 21, travel industry friends and family will walk, run, or bike in support of this year’s charity, with the goal of covering 1,000 km collectively for the Saint James Music Academy. The theme will be “1,000 Kilometres for Kids,” to show their support for a charity devoted to supporting children in this tough neighbourhood in Vancouver.

Visit www.longestday.ca to support this cause from across the country. Donations are accepted, but the main goal is to raise awareness for this year’s charity. 

Sponsors include: ACTA, Air Canada/Air Canada Vacations, APT, Anderson Vacations, Cathay Pacific, Ensemble, Globus, Manulife Insurance, Le Soleil Hotel (Vancouver), Royal Scenic, Park ‘n Fly, Petco Tours, Playa Resorts, YVR, Travel Texas, Transat, Tours by Locals, St. Regis Hotel (Vancouver), Insight Vacations and Westjet/Westjet Vacations.