Richard Bunnett Support Group
Donation protected
We are raising money to help our brother and friend, Richard Bunnett, who suffered a major stroke last January, while working at his beloved school, now called Saint Lambert International High School. Richard has worked for Riverside School Board for over 30 years as an educator for special needs children.
His stroke has left him completely paralyzed on his left side, confined to a wheelchair and often in extreme pain. After receiving six months of therapy, it was determined by the medical professionals that he was no longer eligible for province-funded therapies and he was transferred to a long-term care facility. Physical, occupational, ergo, speech and art therapies are all vitally needed, but the only option is to hire private therapists.
Richard worked as an educator for over 30 years, influencing and touching the lives of thousands of students during his career. Perhaps equally important to his work in the classroom, was his contribution to school life and community activities.
Richard was always an avid believer in that anyone and everyone can make a difference, no matter how small. From organizing the annual White Ribbon Assembly in memory of victims at the École Polytechnique, to raising money for a local women’s shelter, or running his high school’s annual Fashion Show, which for 18 years has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Oncology Department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital with the hope of helping make the day-to-day lives of children with cancer a little bit better.
Being able to still help out and be involved in school life is so important to Richard. Fortunately, his facility is very close to the school and this have given him the opportunity to stay connected with the loving community that is our school.
It is our goal to raise funds to help improve Richard’s quality of life and to provide him with the therapy he needs to heal. As he was determined to others, we hope that with your help, we can help to make a difference in Richard’s life.
Richard’s Biography
Richard was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia on May 19th, 1960. He was brought home on May 23rd, my dad’s birthday, so my mom always joked and said he was my dad’s birthday gift. He is the oldest boy, has three sisters and a brother.
Richard grew quickly and was usually the tallest in his class yet he was nicknamed the gentle giant. Always quiet, shy and polite. He never liked to fight or argue.
Starting in his teenage years he loved to listen to music. He bought a very expensive stereo system with very powerful speakers however as he never liked to bother anyone most times you would find him in his rocking chair with his headphones on and reading a book at the same time. Reading was his other huge passion. He has an extensive library of books ranging from Tolstoy to comic books. He also loves sketching, painting and writing.
When he got out of school he started working at the Montreal Association for the Blind. He would stay the week at the school and come home on weekends. The kids adored him as he was always getting them to do something creative and they also loved him because he was a great listener. A man of few words, but when he spoke they listened.
Richard’s brother Norman got him involved in being an extra on films. One of his best extra roles was in the movie “ A Dennis the Menace Christmas” that was filmed in St Lambert. Richard is seen very well in quite a few scenes.
His other hobbies were bike riding and swimming. He also loved nature and walking in the woods. At least once a month, winter or summer we would enjoy a bar-b-que with our brother Norman near a lake or in a park. And Rick, always the joker was always willing to strike a crazy pose to get us to laugh.
One of sisters, Michelle, lives in Toronto. We would often meet in the middle to hang out together for a few days.
Our other sister Theresa lives in Nova Scotia but when she can, she packs up the gang to come and visit -her children/grand children adored spending time with Rick.
And when we could, myself, Michelle, Rick and Norman would pile in a car and take off to the maritimes. Always a crazy good time.
Five years ago, my aunt Jeannine developed dementia and was placed in a long term facility. Richard and I would visit every weekend and often during the week. Richard always made her laugh and he always took time to make the other residents laugh as well.
Then soon after my aunt was placed in the home, our brother Norman was diagnosed with cancer and an operation left him partly paralyzed in a wheelchair. Rick was a tremendous support for Norman and me in all of this.
Rick would help me bring my brother home for weekends from the rehabilitation center. The center was surprised we could do it as Norman could not walk and there are stairs to my house but Rick would take one side, and I the other and get him in the house.
With our support, Norman was actually able to participate in a 1 KM walk. (Doctors had thought Norman would never walk again).
Since Rick has had his stroke we have tried to get the family together as often as possible. Usually for a nice meal. We always pack extra so please come join us sometime,
And many thanks to some of his wonderful coworkers, he has had a chance to go back to the school on multiple occasions (even when the wind was a blowing and the rain was coming down by the buckets) and see the children and staff. He said “I never realized how much I would miss this place until I couldn’t go” - This ongoing support is essential to his well-being. My family can't thank everyone enough for the love you have shown our brother.
For those of you that would like to visit - he is at CHLSD St Lambert sur-le-golf, 555 Tiffin, St. Lambert, room D412. He is in a private room and visiting hours are 24/7. Dont be shy to pop in and say hello or watch a game of football with him. He loves visitors and it really does help brighten his day.
We thank everyone who has shown their love to Richard, and we thank you for your kindness and generosity in donating to this cause.
His stroke has left him completely paralyzed on his left side, confined to a wheelchair and often in extreme pain. After receiving six months of therapy, it was determined by the medical professionals that he was no longer eligible for province-funded therapies and he was transferred to a long-term care facility. Physical, occupational, ergo, speech and art therapies are all vitally needed, but the only option is to hire private therapists.
Richard worked as an educator for over 30 years, influencing and touching the lives of thousands of students during his career. Perhaps equally important to his work in the classroom, was his contribution to school life and community activities.
Richard was always an avid believer in that anyone and everyone can make a difference, no matter how small. From organizing the annual White Ribbon Assembly in memory of victims at the École Polytechnique, to raising money for a local women’s shelter, or running his high school’s annual Fashion Show, which for 18 years has raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Oncology Department at the Montreal Children’s Hospital with the hope of helping make the day-to-day lives of children with cancer a little bit better.
Being able to still help out and be involved in school life is so important to Richard. Fortunately, his facility is very close to the school and this have given him the opportunity to stay connected with the loving community that is our school.
It is our goal to raise funds to help improve Richard’s quality of life and to provide him with the therapy he needs to heal. As he was determined to others, we hope that with your help, we can help to make a difference in Richard’s life.
Richard’s Biography
Richard was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia on May 19th, 1960. He was brought home on May 23rd, my dad’s birthday, so my mom always joked and said he was my dad’s birthday gift. He is the oldest boy, has three sisters and a brother.
Richard grew quickly and was usually the tallest in his class yet he was nicknamed the gentle giant. Always quiet, shy and polite. He never liked to fight or argue.
Starting in his teenage years he loved to listen to music. He bought a very expensive stereo system with very powerful speakers however as he never liked to bother anyone most times you would find him in his rocking chair with his headphones on and reading a book at the same time. Reading was his other huge passion. He has an extensive library of books ranging from Tolstoy to comic books. He also loves sketching, painting and writing.
When he got out of school he started working at the Montreal Association for the Blind. He would stay the week at the school and come home on weekends. The kids adored him as he was always getting them to do something creative and they also loved him because he was a great listener. A man of few words, but when he spoke they listened.
Richard’s brother Norman got him involved in being an extra on films. One of his best extra roles was in the movie “ A Dennis the Menace Christmas” that was filmed in St Lambert. Richard is seen very well in quite a few scenes.
His other hobbies were bike riding and swimming. He also loved nature and walking in the woods. At least once a month, winter or summer we would enjoy a bar-b-que with our brother Norman near a lake or in a park. And Rick, always the joker was always willing to strike a crazy pose to get us to laugh.
One of sisters, Michelle, lives in Toronto. We would often meet in the middle to hang out together for a few days.
Our other sister Theresa lives in Nova Scotia but when she can, she packs up the gang to come and visit -her children/grand children adored spending time with Rick.
And when we could, myself, Michelle, Rick and Norman would pile in a car and take off to the maritimes. Always a crazy good time.
Five years ago, my aunt Jeannine developed dementia and was placed in a long term facility. Richard and I would visit every weekend and often during the week. Richard always made her laugh and he always took time to make the other residents laugh as well.
Then soon after my aunt was placed in the home, our brother Norman was diagnosed with cancer and an operation left him partly paralyzed in a wheelchair. Rick was a tremendous support for Norman and me in all of this.
Rick would help me bring my brother home for weekends from the rehabilitation center. The center was surprised we could do it as Norman could not walk and there are stairs to my house but Rick would take one side, and I the other and get him in the house.
With our support, Norman was actually able to participate in a 1 KM walk. (Doctors had thought Norman would never walk again).
Since Rick has had his stroke we have tried to get the family together as often as possible. Usually for a nice meal. We always pack extra so please come join us sometime,
And many thanks to some of his wonderful coworkers, he has had a chance to go back to the school on multiple occasions (even when the wind was a blowing and the rain was coming down by the buckets) and see the children and staff. He said “I never realized how much I would miss this place until I couldn’t go” - This ongoing support is essential to his well-being. My family can't thank everyone enough for the love you have shown our brother.
For those of you that would like to visit - he is at CHLSD St Lambert sur-le-golf, 555 Tiffin, St. Lambert, room D412. He is in a private room and visiting hours are 24/7. Dont be shy to pop in and say hello or watch a game of football with him. He loves visitors and it really does help brighten his day.
We thank everyone who has shown their love to Richard, and we thank you for your kindness and generosity in donating to this cause.
Organizer
Chantal Bunnett
Organizer
Longueuil, QC
Begin your fundraising journey
