Rankin Inlet (July 28/04) - Leonie Berry of Rankin Inlet wanted to do something to help a group of youth fighting the biggest battle of their young lives.

Berry found a Web site, while surfing the Internet, advertising a 10-km run in Winnipeg to raise funds to benefit children battling cancer in Manitoba.

The event was organized by the Optimist Club of Manitoba and held at the Assiniboine Zoo and Gardens. Proceeds from the run went to Cancer Care Manitoba.

Berry had to make a special trip to take part in the run and knew she needed help -- and lots of it.

Her first step was to write a letter to Calm Air's Bryan Fotheringham, who was able to arrange a special round-trip ticket for Berry to participate in the event.

Once the ticket was secured, Berry only had three full days to raise pledges in Rankin before flying to Winnipeg for the run.

She quickly enlisted the aid of longtime friend Melissa Irwin and it was time to start knocking on doors.

And, as it has done so many times in the past, the community rose to the occasion and Berry was able to raise $885 in donations.

"I was also fortunate enough to get items donated from local businesses and organizations that couldn't sponsor me with cash," said berry.

"I received a beautiful vest from Ivalu Ltd. and items from the Atuqtuarvik Corp., Sport Nunavut and the Department of Sustainable Development."

"The event organizers were able to auction the items to raise more funds."

Berry was mentioned in a story that ran in the Winnipeg media covering the event.

She said she wanted to participate because she has lost family members to cancer.

Taking part in the Winnipeg run was her way of doing what she could to help out.

"It took me an hour and 20 minutes to complete the run, which was about 20 minutes more than the average time.

"I'm very proud of the people in our community and how much they do to help charitable causes.

"We have a lot to be proud of here in Rankin."