A tradition of giving back: 99-year-old Cambridge woman walks 99 laps for charity

CTV News

2 days ago

It may be Joan's birthday, but she's the one giving a gift. CTV's Karis Mapp how a 99-year-old woman is raising money for charity.
A senior from Cambridge isn't letting age stop her from taking steps to help families in need.
Joan Thomlinson turned 99-years-old in March, but she was the one who wanted to give a gift. She decided to walk 99 laps around the outdoor walking track at her home, Seasons Cambridge Retirement Community, to raise money for Ronald McDonald House Charities Toronto and Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario.
The trek has become a bit of a tradition for Thomlinson. In 2023, she walked 97 laps and raised $1,600 and over 200 lbs. of food for the Cambridge Food Bank. Last year, she walked 98 laps and ziplined over Niagara Falls, raising $7,000 for the SickKids Foundation.
'There was a gentleman in London, England. He walked 100 times around his garden for his 100th birthday and I thought if he can do it, I can do it,' Thomlinson said.
Joan Thomlinson 99 laps Cambridge, Ont.
Joan Thomlinson, 99, finished her campaign to walk 99 laps in Cambridge, Ont. on May 30, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News)
For the people who know Thomlinson, they said this is just one small part of her generous spirit. She is also a member of the volunteer-driven 'Seniorosity Team' at Seasons Cambridge, a group dedicated to giving back by fundraising or doing random acts of kindness.
'Joan has been doing initiatives like this since she's been here with Seasons,' Matt Lehnen, General Manager for Seasons Retirement Communities Cambridge, said. 'She's truly an inspiration. Whether it's zip lining for her 98th [birthday] or now handing out Happy Meals and doing 99 laps for her 99th, we're always here to support her and to learn more and help her initiatives grow.'
Joan Thomlinson 99 laps for charity, Cambridge, Ont.
Joan Thomlinson sat in front a two large silver '99' balloons in Cambridge, Ont. on May 30, 2025. (Karis Mapp/CTV News)
Thomlinson decided to do her walk in May when the weather was nicer, instead of taking her chances in March.
Before she laced up her shoes, she got a chance to tour the Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton to see how much her help meant to the families who use the service.
'The best part of fundraising for the Ronald McDonald House is family helping families,' Meaghan Moore, Director of Programs and External Relations at Ronald McDonald House Charities South Central Ontario said. 'We're called the Ronald McDonald House, people think we're rolling in McDonalds money, I promise you we're not. We have amazing partners but really, it's fundraisers that help us down the road at McDonalds. So, walks like this or lemonade stands or corporate fundraisers that really help support the Ronald McDonald House.'
Ronald McDonald House Charities help children facing chronic or life-threatening illnesses by giving them and their families a place to stay close to where they receive treatment.
The 40-bedroom facility in Hamilton is just steps away from McMaster Children's Hospital.
A family who used the service was on hand to celebrate Thomlinson's accomplishments.
'In 2023, our youngest son here, Wade, was diagnosed with leukemia,' Nichole Fink, a Cambridge resident, explained. 'We were taken to McMaster Hospital, which obviously is about an hour away from home. We stayed at the Ronald McDonald House for what ended up being over 30 nights throughout his treatment.'
Fink said Thomlinson's efforts mean an incredible amount to the families staying at Ronald McDonald House.
'I'm glad she's doing this. I'm glad so many people have turned out to support her. Ninety-nine laps and 99 years is such a huge accomplishment and I'm glad that this is the charity that she's chosen to support today,' Fink said.
Joan Thomlinson and Wade Fink's family, 99 laps charity, Cmabridge
Joan Thomlinson sat with Nichole Fink's family, including Wade, who stayed at a Ronald McDonald House in Hamilton when Wade was diagnosed with leukemia. (Karis Mapp/CTV News)
Thomlinson said she felt honoured by the experience and hoped she encouraged others to keep moving and help the community.
'As my dad always said, make the world a better place than when you arrived in it,' she said. 'I live by that. It's a good way to be.'