Meet 'real-life Forrest Gump' this weekend

A man described in a press release as a “real-life Forrest Gump and superhero” will be running through Sudbury this weekend on his cross-Canada fundraising adventure.

The public is invited to meet Jamie McDonald Aug. 10 at 7 p.m. at the South End Library. He will be delivering a motivational message about his fundraising adventure.

Early morning risers can also join Jamie for breakfast Aug. 11 at 7 a.m. at Tutti Frutti, located at 125 Loach’s Rd.

McDonald, who hails from Gloucester, England, started his journey in March 2013 in St. John’s, Nfld., and is running across Canada to raise money for children’s charities - Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto, and the Pied Piper Appeal/Great Ormond Street Hospital in the UK.

He plans to complete his journey by Dec. 18, 2013 in British Columbia.

McDonald is running coast to coast without a support crew, and has been running the equivalent of one marathon a day. He is updating his Twitter, Facebook and web page along the way and has also been keeping a video diary of his trip.

He has posted 13 videos of his journey on his web page that can also be accessed through YouTube.

To date he has run more than 3,000 kilometres of his 7,400 kilometre journey.

For more information about Jamie, including ways to donate to his effort, visit http://www.jamiemcdonald.org.