95-year-old finishes fundraising walk with a flourish

A parade of Shriners playing music and driving tiny cars preceded him and several people in matching yellow shirts walked with him as Frank Atchison finished his more than 260-kilometre walk from Saskatoon to Regina.

Atchison celebrated a little as he crossed the finish line, waving his hands in the air along with his cane.

He’d made the trek over 61 days to raise money to be split between the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital in Saskatoon and the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital in Montreal. By the time Frank hit the finish line, just under $55,000 had been raised but donations continued to pour in afterward.

There were dozens of people there to welcome him — some from the Shriners’ many chapters, politicians, and several people who’d been treated for medical issues with the help of the Shriners’ generosity.

Carter Brown was treated for brittle bone disease at the Shriner’s Hospital. He called Atchison’s walk incredible.

“I did the two-kilometre race in the QCM a couple years ago and I thought that was far,” said Brown.

“Going from Saskatoon all the way here to Regina is a huge accomplishment. Seeing you take that on has been so inspiring.”

Premier Scott Moe braved the heat and wind to say a few words about Atchison.

“Frank, you’re truly an inspiration to all of us that are here today and to all of us across the province. I want to thank you for being that inspiration,” said Moe.

Regina Mayor Sandra Masters joined the chorus of praise as well.

“You are the epitome of true Saskatchewan determination, generosity and resilience,” said Masters.

It was a three-fold celebration for Atchison: He finished his walk, he was recognized for having served 50 years with the Shriners, and Tuesday was his 95th birthday.

However, Atchison was humble. He praised his team, thanking them and those who donated, then said this walk isn’t about him.

“Anybody can walk, they just have to have time. But the important thing is, is the children. They are the stars of this,” said Atchison.

Over the 61 days of the walk, Atchison met and talked with a lot of people. He said one group came to give a donation and asked if the team had eaten yet, and half an hour later came back with barley soup and borscht.

He said many people would pass his group on the highway and then turn around to stop and give them a donation.

“Just the things you run into that you’re not expecting. That’s like any trip, it’s the things that you don’t expect and they happen and they make a great day out of it,” said Atchison.

Atchison also said he saw a couple of kids when he stopped in Lumsden who had been going to the children’s hospital in Saskatoon. He said he’d been told they had spina bifida and he’d expected to see kids with crutches or in wheelchairs, but the kids were running around and playing.

“That was really the highlight of my walk,” said Atchison.

Atchison joked that he was tired after walking all that way but said it was a marvelous experience, calling it “a hoot.”