OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, March 18, 2009 · 10 Eddie Williams completes 33rd St. Patrick's Day walk By David Lea OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Oakville's St. Patrick's Day tradition has been honoured once again. Eddie Williams and a small but dedicat- ed band of supporters completed the 40kilometre journey from Toronto's City Hall to downtown Oakville yesterday, in a salute to a ritual that has taken place since 1922. Back then, members of Toronto's Irish community would make the great trek to Oakville in search of bootlegged beer during Ontario's brief flirtation with prohibition. This year marks the 33rd time Williams has completed the excursion. "It's going good this year," said Williams, who was reached by the Oakville Beaver on the road. "Everyone seems to be doing well. No signs of letting up and everyone seems to be enthused, it's great." The day's weather cooperated for the event with sunny, cloudless conditions present for the majority of the walk, something Williams said he was thankful for as showers are expected for today. Williams is also thankful that a foot injury did little to slow him down this year, with several television and radio interviews serving as the only real distractions. "We're getting a lot of people honking their horns and coming out and encouraging us," said Williams, who was decked out in his trademark St. Pat's hockey jersey. "That's really nice to see." Williams' companions were also feeling good about the way the walk progressed. Agatha Platiel, 71, walked with Williams to raise money for Home Suite Hope, a local charity that helps the homeless. As of the walk, Platiel's initiative had raised $2,300 with more expected as Platiel planned to attend a fundraiser at the Coach and Four, located at 2432 Lakeshore Rd. W., after the walk was completed. "It's a blast, an absolute blast," said Platiel, during the walk. "It's perfect for your soul, you get to walk and enjoy the outdoors and we chit chat away and it's wonderful." Platiel, who has completed two previous walks with Williams, noted this walk was particularly enjoyable as the husband of one of the walker's served as a mobile pit stop, constantly supplying the walkers with snacks and juice and water. Platiel said she would like to keep the fundraiser going for next year and would like to return barring the unforeseen. LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER GOOD DAY FOR A WALK: Eddie Williams completed his 33rd St. Patrick's Day walk to continue a tradition dating back to 1922. Williams also plans to return for walk number 34. In the meantime Williams will nurse 40-kilometres worth of aches and pains with an orange juice at Oakville's Prime Time Sports Bar before returning home. The St. Patrick's Day enthusiast has never been able to hold down green beer. Anyone seeking more information about Home Suite Hope can call Wendy Perkins at 905-339-2370 or visit www.homesuitehope.org.