She uses a walker and has arthritis, but that wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 stopping Rankin InletSA国际影视传媒檚 Shirley Kirkwa in her determination to raise money for the burned churches in Kinngait Saturday, Sept. 9.

SA国际影视传媒淭he Lord was bugging me to fundraise,SA国际影视传媒� said Kirkwa, who decided she would walk from the outskirts of Rankin Inlet to Iyirallik and back and collect donations for the two churches in Kinngait that were damaged in fires this January. SA国际影视传媒淚 canSA国际影视传媒檛 say no, so I just go ahead and walk. I did it for the Lord.SA国际影视传媒�

She left at 9:20 a.m. and didnSA国际影视传媒檛 return until 6:30 p.m. that evening.

SA国际影视传媒淪ome of the road had so many rocks,SA国际影视传媒� said Kirkwa, who uses a walker to get around. SA国际影视传媒淚t was kind of difficult. I needed to stop so many times to sit down, relax, ease my muscles and my arthritis on my knee. It was kind of tough.SA国际影视传媒�

At times, she considered quitting, especially when the fog and rain were fighting her.

SA国际影视传媒淚 still went ahead because we were getting close to our destination, so I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 give up,SA国际影视传媒� said Kirkwa.

When she left, she was way too hot and sweating, but by the time she got back, she was freezing.

SA国际影视传媒淚 felt so humbled,SA国际影视传媒� said Kirkwa about finishing the walk. SA国际影视传媒淭ears were coming down. They were honking all the trucks and still giving out donation money, encouraging me. Even little children asked to give donation money.SA国际影视传媒�

In total, she raised $659.25.

After a short parade, Kirkwa had supper and went to bed for a good rest.

SA国际影视传媒淛ust a little bit muscle ache on my arms and my arthritis on my leg,SA国际影视传媒� she said about how she was feeling the next morning. SA国际影视传媒淎 little bit but not that much. ISA国际影视传媒檓 okay.SA国际影视传媒�

It was her first time doing a walk like this, and she said sheSA国际影视传媒檇 be up for doing it again.

SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to thank everybody who gave donation money, juice, encouragement,SA国际影视传媒� said Kirkwa. SA国际影视传媒淚 would like to thank Violet Innukshuk and my daughter Eva for going (with me). I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 alone.SA国际影视传媒�

For anyone else planning a similar fundraising venture, Kirkwa advises they get some help.

SA国际影视传媒淚 am disabled and people who want to do this walk, they should not be alone,SA国际影视传媒� said Kirkwa. SA国际影视传媒淵ou never know if youSA国际影视传媒檙e in danger, whoSA国际影视传媒檚 going to help. I didnSA国际影视传媒檛 have no cell phone, no rifle, no one to contact. ISA国际影视传媒檓 happy people were going back and forth, and ISA国际影视传媒檓 happy I wasnSA国际影视传媒檛 alone.SA国际影视传媒�