Vancouver, B.C. – A veteran volunteer of more than a hundred sporting events including ten so far this year, David Eng strives to foster a safe, fun atmosphere for participants. He is typically on his bicycle leading runners and shuttling supplies, but he has also hiked, managed other volunteers, and welcomed participants at check-in centres. His friendly smile and sense of humour have made him a beloved fixture at these events. One closest to his heart is the Under Armour Eastside 10K, which winds through Gastown and nearby streets.

“I was an inner-city kid,” David says. “I was born and raised in Strathcona. At that time, we didn’t use the term inner city, but it was a fact of life. When I was growing up, the worst that could happen in that neighbourhood was being bumped into by someone who was intoxicated. Now, drugs and increased homelessness have changed it. The issues are complicated, and I feel sort of helpless to improve things, but the proceeds of this run directly help people living in this neighbourhood.”

The Under Armour Eastside 10K raises money for four charities: the Urban Native Youth Association, PHS Community Services Society, CLICK (Contributing to the Lives of Inner City Kids), and the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre.

David and his volunteer buddy, Carol Song, were advanced lead cyclists for this run. “We look for trouble,” as David likes to say. “We look for things like debris on the run path, cars parked where they shouldn’t be, and issues with traffic barricades. We clear the way to ensure the path is smooth and safe for the runners.”

David and Carol also volunteered at the Climb for Alzheimer’s this past weekend. He is happy to report that around 300 hikers raised nearly $100,000 for the Alzheimer’s Society. “Carol and I supported hikers by handing out water and energy bars and we provided morale support, especially for the people who were doing the Grouse Grind for the first time. We did the full climb helping along the way.”

This is the fifth time he has helped with at the Climb for Alzheimer’s. “It is a difficult hike, and it was great to see people out there fundraising for a good cause,” David says. “The proceeds fund research and community services. The stats for Alzheimer’s are staggering.” Over 500,000 Canadians are living with dementia today, according to the Alzheimer’s Society, but that number is expected to soar past 900,000 by 2030.

David also volunteered at the RBC Gran Fondo and Car Free Day in September. He is planning to participate in a few more events this year, including the Turkey Trot. “The energy and excitement of the participants keeps me coming back as a volunteer!”

To connect with David, please visit www.DavidEngHomes.com.

Sutton is a 100% Canadian-owned and operated company with more than 6,500 REALTORS® in over 200 offices nationwide. To find out more about Sutton, visit www.sutton.com. To learn more about Sutton Spirit, visit www.suttonspirit.com.

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Sutton Group Realty Services Ltd.:

Maria Castro
604-691-1689
stories@suttonspirit.com

Sutton Group – West Coast Realty Inc. :
David Eng
604-561-2885
david.eng.realtor@gmail.com

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