Eight Wounded Warrior runners were welcomed home by their families and colleagues as they crossed the finish line at Market Square in Victoria last night, but they say the fight is far from over.
Several speakers from local government, RCMP, BCEHS, and the Canadian Royal Navy expressed thanks to everyone who made the trip possible as each member ran 800 kilometres to raise $250,000 to help bring awareness to mental health programs.
Kevin Whiteside has been a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 27 years and did his first run this season, he says the run has changed him but is glad to be home with his family.
Whiteside says he can’t put into words how this experience has made him feel, and it has been hard, but also has changed him and everyone on the team.
“It feels surreal, the hardest part of this run was leaving our loved ones and our families to embark on something we didn’t necessarily know how much of a positive impact it would have on the island,” he says.
The journey started in Port Hardy on Feb. 23 and the team made stops in each community down to Victoria, and Whiteside says listening to stories from those affected by mental health and trauma has opened his eyes.
“We touched 28 different communities, so thousands of people that we had a chance to talk to,” he says. “The hope is they learn something from us that they can share in their community and help reduce the stigma.”
As of Mar. 2, the run raised $231,000 for veterans, first responders, and their families to help with mental health programs and bring awareness to the cause, and help reduce the stigma.
According to Wounded Warriors Canada, although the run is over fundraising will continue to the end of March.
