Once again, around 40 generous athletes walked around Winkler Elementary School Monday evening in the annual Special Olympic walk-a-thon.

The Winkler Wizards were collecting pledges in the weeks prior to the walk-a-thon to help purchase gym equipment for the school.

"The school staff and school division have been supportive for the last 30 years, and so we like to get together and give something back," said Wizard's head coach and walk-a-thon organizer, Sharon Dueck.

Just over $1,600 was raised for the event with one athlete, Keith Peters, raising $469. Half the money goes to gym equipment and the other half to fund programming for the Wizards.

The total is about $600 higher than last year.

Dueck, who's been involved with Special Olympics for 31 years, was unsure what the future of the program would look like as the number of athletes was dwindling.

"For a while, we were a little concerned about what was going to happen as our older athletes age-out," Dueck said.

However, a recent influx of younger adults joining the team this year has brought some relief.

Aspiring Wizards are welcome to join when they turn 18.