Aman Merdha will host a fundraiser promoting accessibility and inclusivity in sport prior to competing for Miss Canada in Quebec for the second time in May.
The fundraiser will be on April 29 from 1 to 2 p.m. in Clearbrook Park with Abbotsford students. The event will involve running or walking a track. The W.J. Mouat graduate will go meet and talk to the students prior to the event to explain the importance of exercise.
“It’s all about making an impact within your community and how you can implement that into your reign as Miss Canada,” Merdha said. “Last time I competed I was so focused on winning that it totally slipped my mind about doing events prior to and to just keep doing events after the pageant.”
Merdha will be sending a pamphlet and envelope home with each student so families can donate. The fundraiser is in conjunction with Miss Canada and 100 per cent of the funds will support Opération Enfant Soleil, a non-profit organization that raises funds to support the development of pediatrics for children in Quebec.
Two years ago when Merdha competed her platform was about diversity, representation and inclusivity through literacy. Merdha has vitiligo, a skin disorder which causes the skin to lose pigment. She published a children’s book about vitiligo, which she used to promote reading as well as help children understand physical differences.
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The University of the Fraser Valley kinesiology student has two more years of education under her belt and now has a better understanding about being healthy and promoting movement. Although the previous initiative is still important to her, she has new knowledge and passion for physical health. Merdha has kept the same ideas from her old platform, but now wants to focus on accessibility and inclusivity sport.
“I think that understanding has totally changed how I navigate the world now,” Merdha said.
Merdha has learned a lot from the first time she competed for Miss Canada, including being more confident in herself and how she can become more involved in her community.
Regardless of whether or not the 24-year-old wins this year she is going to continue the initiatives she has started.
“I am going to run these events and keep being me, whether or not I get the crown. That’s what I want to take from the experience.”
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