There was a lot of love going around in Gravenhurst Friday as hundreds of students joined together to form a circle of hope in memory of a very special little girl, Megan Bebenek.

Megan lost her battle with brain cancer in 2001, which was the same year her mother Denise started Megan’s walk, an event were participants hold hands and create a circle of hope.

 The annual event raises money and awareness about children about children living with brain cancer, which is the leading cause of cancer death for young people under 20.

“Letting families and doctors know that we're there for them, and when a child is diagnosed really it is a family’s diagnosis,” said Denise.

Megan spent her summers in the Gravenhurst area and her mom Denise says returning to Megan’s favourite summer place is special. She is amazed by the big hug by more than 400 students.

“Bringing the hug here is so beautiful--and a really big part of Meagan’s hug is paying it forward,” she said.

The goal at Gravenhurst Public school was to raise awareness and there is a fundraiser planned for Saturday at The Gravenhurst Opera House.

So far to date, Megan’s Walk has raised more than $4 million for pediatric cancer research.