A Niagara-on-the-Lake woman and some of her friends are helping raise money across southern Ontario to expand a respite care home and hospice for children with complex medical conditions.

The Darling Home for Kids in Milton provides high-quality respite, residential and hospice palliative care services for children.

NOTL resident Michele Darling and her husband Mike Eagen are major donors to the home, which is planning a 10,000-square-foot addition. 

The home's Wheels campaign, first established by builder Mattamy Homes in 2011, is a virtual fundraiser this year, allowing people to run, walk or ride to raise money.

Real estate developer Orlando Corporation is matching all donations up to a total of $3.7 million, Darling said.

“We are fundraising right across Halton, Peel and Niagara,” she said.

“There are teams going out to ride, and our friends from Mattamy Homes have many teams everywhere. Locally, it is myself and Michelle and John Scott, and our teams. Some are participating virtually, others are walking, riding, pushing a wheelchair or just donating and cheering us on.”

Earlier this week, she noted, “I have raised $3,000 so far. So with the match, it will be $6,000.”

Among the new features included in the expansion are more bedrooms and bathrooms, a larger Snoezelen room (which engages kids’ senses and imaginations through images, lights, textures, sound and colour), and a private kitchen and accommodation for families who have a child receiving end-of-life care.

More information is available at www.darlinghomeforkids.ca