It’s been almost two months since a fire broke out at the YMCA men’s residence in downtown Hamilton and while progress has been made, there’s still a lot more work that needs to be done before everyone can move back in.
READ MORE: 24 people rescued, 11 in hospital after multiple-alarm fire at downtown Hamilton YMCA
However, fundraising efforts are raising money to help get the job done, including a 72-kilometre journey from Brantford to Hamilton, with stops along the way.
It’s called the Long Walk Home, and it involves 8 people including some YMCA staff and volunteers are about to make their way from Brantford to Hamilton over a two day period.
They started on Friday from the YMCA in Brantford and will end up at the YMCA in downtown Hamilton on Saturday night.
The walkers are raising money for YMCA program’s, including the men’s residence in downtown Hamilton. This walk was organized before the building caught on fire in July, which displaced 174 men and causing $1.2 million in damages.
To date, the charity has surpassed its fundraising goal by more than $20,000.
READ MORE: YMCA to host fundraiser in support of men displaced by fire