Williams Lake teenager running for BC Children\u2019s Hospital<\/p>\n
Published 2:30 pm Saturday, April 18, 2026<\/p>\n
A love of running and a compassionate heart has a Williams Lake 18-year-old taking on a 31-day challenge in support of the BC Children\u2019s Hospital.<\/p>\n
Manav Pooni is participating in his first Million Reasons Run.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll be running throughout the month of May and and hopes to cover at least 200-kilometres while raising funds for the Vancouver hospital which provides specialized pediatric services to more than 99,000 kids each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m going to be trying my best to start the first day off, depending on the weather, with a marathon and I also want to end the month with a marathon as well,\u201d Pooni said.<\/p>\n
For Pooni, the BC Children\u2019s Hospital holds extra personal, special meaning to him.<\/p>\n
He grew up in Vancouver and recalled a terrifying incident in which his brother, Mahaveer, spent several months in hospital after ingesting some small soaps and bleach.<\/p>\n
His youngest brother, Harveer, was born with Down Syndrome and also visited the hospital frequently.<\/p>\n
These experiences have shaped Pooni, who recalled the caring staff. In the hospital a child next to his brother, Mahaveer, had no parents and was treated by staff as if he was one of their own.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a comfortable environment that deserves as much support as possible,\u201d Pooni said, adding he has always felt a strong responsibility to look out for his brothers.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hurts to see,\u201d Pooni added of seeing children suffering and going through illness. \u201cYou want to hope the best for the kids.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pooni has currently raised more than $350 of his $2,000 goal.<\/p>\n
He\u2019ll be also be lacing up for a cause in the Bright Futures 5K on Sunday, April 26 starting and finishing at the Cariboo Memorial Recreation Complex. The five-kilometre fundraising walk\/run for BC Children\u2019s Hospital starts at 10 a.m. with an entry fee of $25 per person or $40 per family.<\/p>\n
Pooni said after he and his friend will be heading to the Foundry where there will be a barbeque.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love the runner\u2019s high,\u201d Pooni said of running which he is currently easing back into following an injury.<\/p>\n
He tries to do 10-kilometres every two days, and usually runs throughout the city starting from the high school and up to Signal Point Gaming.<\/p>\n
In the winter he would put music on his headphones and run in the snow, looking up at the stars.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just enjoy it,\u201d Pooni said. \u201cNo matter the weather I just love to run.\u201d<\/p>\n