Community helping community is the driving force that makes the 2026 SplashON Wipe Out Challenge so important to Brittany Gallagher, owner of Splash ON Water Parks, and Rowley Ramey of Hospice Simcoe-Seasons Centre.
The event takes place on Wednesday, July 23 at SplashON's Barrie waterfront location at Centennial Park.
Proceeds from the day are being donated to Hospice Simcoe-Seasons Centre, with the teams' challenge from 6 to 8 p.m.
"Charity has always been a big component for me, and I think that businesses should be supporting communities that have supported them," said Gallagher. "I found out about Seasons Centre in 2017, and I just thought they were an incredible organization. I wish that something existed for me back in the day when I was growing up."
Funds raised will be used to support grieving children and youth across Simcoe County.
This is the fourth annual SplashOn Wipe Out Challenge.
To date, Ramey says the event has supported 3,200 peer-to-peer grief support sessions at Seasons Centre.
"The entire day is geared towards bringing awareness about children's grief and raising funds to help children."
Kids can enjoy the park throughout the day, with the last session dedicated to the Wipeout Challenge.
It's a full-circle event where children enjoy the waterfront park, and in turn, are helping children who are navigating grief.
"All their laughs, all their splashes, every ripple they make, will be about building and supporting children who have grief-support needs," said Ramey.
He notes that the event shines a light on an important reality.
"More than half of all children will experience the death of someone close before they turn 18. By bringing people together in such a visible, joyful way, the event raises awareness that grief is part of life, and that no child should have to face it alone."
