5th Annual Miles Hammond Fundraiser Raises $55,000 for Paediatric Care

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, guests, supporters, and friends gathered in Bracebridge for a powerful evening of music, remembrance, and community spirit at the 5th Annual Miles Philip Hammond Memorial Fundraiser. The event, featuring a live concert by Grace 2, Toronto’s beloved Tragically Hip tribute band, also included a silent auction, live auction, and raffle, all in support of paediatric and paediatric oncology care at Orillia Soldiers’ Memorial Hospital (OSMH).

Thanks to the extraordinary generosity of attendees, the event raised an outstanding $55,000. These funds will support the purchase of a sensory cart and Touch2Play equipment for the paediatric and paediatric oncology departments at OSMH, along with the provision of parking passes for families accessing care through the hospital’s POGO (Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario) satellite clinic. This year’s success brings the total raised by the Miles Hammond fundraiser to an inspiring $205,000 since its creation.

The fundraiser was established by parents Kent and Kate Hammond, who lost their son, Miles Philip Hammond, on February 9, 2021, sadly, just days after his first birthday. To thank the POGO team at OSMH who cared for their family and to ensure that other children and parents facing childhood cancer receive the same compassionate support, they created an annual event in his memory.

Over the years, the Hammonds have watched the event grow in ways they never expected. Kate reflected on that journey, sharing, “It started during COVID restrictions with just 50 guests. Each year, it continues to grow, and what amazes us most is the friends, family, and community members who continue to show up. We thought it might drop off after the first couple of years, but we’ve been blown away by how people champion this cause.”

Kent shared the same sense of gratitude and awe, saying, “The initial outpouring was surprising, and year after year it gets bigger without us trying to make it bigger. It’s really a testament to the community. People want to support it, and that means everything to us.”

For the Hammonds, each gift, each attendee, and each returning supporter reinforces their deepest hope, that Miles’ name and impact continue to live on. “I think any parent who loses a child fears they’ll be forgotten,” Kate shared. “Being able to help kids and families through Miles’ legacy reassures us that his life mattered. Seeing the equipment at the hospital and how families will use it—it means everything to us.”

Funds raised this year will help purchase two important comfort and engagement tools for young patients. A sensory cart is a mobile station filled with calming tools like fidget items, weighted blankets, light‑up objects, and tactile materials. This helps reduce anxiety and provide distraction during procedures, offering comfort to children dealing with fear or overstimulation. Touch2Play units, interactive gaming stations designed for hospitals, offer fun, safe, accessible entertainment that helps reduce stress and creates a more welcoming environment during long treatment days. In addition, the fundraiser will provide parking passes for families accessing the POGO satellite clinic, easing a financial burden during what can be one of the most difficult periods of their lives.

This event has become a testament to love, community, and the enduring power of a young life that continues to touch so many others. As Kent expressed, “It’s grown almost on its own. We don’t have to push it—people just come back.”

Because they come back, more children will receive comfort. More families will feel supported. And Miles’ legacy will continue to make a meaningful difference for years to come.