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Oakville, ON, May 1, 2026 – James Newman, a 22‑year‑old Oakville native, is embarking on an extraordinary 7,500 kilometer run across Canada with the goal of raising $250,000 to fund scholarships for youth who have lost a parent or caregiver.
Beginning May 18, 2026 in St. John’s, Newfoundland, James will run approximately 80-100 kilometres per day for 100 days, finishing in Victoria, British Columbia. The run is expected to take him 90 days to complete.
At just seven years old, James tragically lost both of his parents and spent years moving between homes before being adopted permanently by his grandparents. Throughout that journey, he was supported by an extended network of family, friends, and community members—support that he credits as life‑changing. Now, he aims to give back by creating opportunities for youth navigating similar hardships.
“I want kids who feel like their world is falling apart to know that something better is still possible,” James says. “A scholarship isn’t just financial support. It’s a sign of hope—a reminder that their future still matters.”
The funds raised through this cross‑country run will go directly to Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada, which will award scholarships to students nationwide who have experienced the loss of a parent or primary caregiver.
An Extreme Physical and Mental Challenge
James’s coast‑to‑coast run is one of the most ambitious endurance feats in Canadian history. To date, only three people have completed a run across Canada in under 100 days—a barrier James hopes to break while fueling his fundraising goal.
Throughout the journey, he will face:
- 7,500 km of running — roughly 170 marathons back‑to‑back
- 10 million steps over the course of the trip
- 10,000 calories burned per day to sustain the effort
- Up to 15–20 pairs of running shoes due to wear and tear
Despite the physical demands, James is fueled by purpose.
Why Scholarships Matter
From James’ perspective, scholarships can be a powerful turning point for youth coping with profound loss, like many who have been involved with Canada’s child welfare system. They offer:
- A pathway to education and opportunity
- A tangible reminder that their future is possible
- A stabilizing goal during a time of uncertainty
“When your world feels unstable, having something to look forward to—a reason to keep going—can mean everything,” James explains.
We are very grateful to James for taking on this ambitious coast-to-coast journey that will shed light on the challenges and barriers faced by young people trying to pursue post-secondary education.
The money raised will go towards our national Post-Secondary Education program ensuring that more youth from care can pursue their education, build confidence and independence; a pathway to greater opportunities. We wish him a safe and successful journey. – Niki Gastis, Chief Development Officer, Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada.
Join the Journey
James invites fellow Canadians to run with him for sections of the route, or to cheer him on as he passes through their communities. Every show of support helps fuel the mission.
Follow, Donate, and Get Involved
Canadians can follow James’s journey, track his daily progress, and support the campaign at:
Website: www.jamesrunscanada.ca
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @jams_newman
About Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada
Children’s Aid Foundation of Canada (CAFC) is our country’s leading foundation dedicated to improving the lives of children, youth, and families involved in the child welfare system. With our donors, child-protection agencies, community organizations, and lived experts, we remove barriers that limit children and youth’s potential and improve their outcomes by providing access to resources that help them succeed and thrive.
CAFC runs the largest national post-secondary education program in Canada, helping youth involved in child welfare access post-secondary education thanks to a generous community of donors. Through renewable scholarships and ongoing support, we help young people not only get into college or university but also succeed once they’re there.
For more information:
Team James
[email protected]
