The Wounded Warriors Run made stops at Bowser Royal Canadian Legion Branch 211 and the Qualicum Beach Royal Canadian Legion Branch 49, where participants received plenty of applause, warm greetings and donations.
After having to cancel the annual event last year due to COVID-19 restrictions, the Wounded Warriors crew were happy to back on the road again.
Paul Hurst, fire chief of Town of View Royal, is happy to be one of the runners of this fundraising initiative to help veterans and first responders suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and occupational stress injuries.
“Last year, of course, it was cancelled because of COVID and we got the green light a couple of months ago,” said Hurst, who was honoured to be able to visit the Qualicum Legion and town. “With the lifting of the restrictions, we’re glad we’re able to do it this year. So many veterans and so many first responders need help. That’s why we’re raising the money.”
The goal of the run this year is to raise $250,000.
“We broke the $100,000 mark last night (March 2) and we’re looking to breaking that record when we hit Victoria on March 6,” he said.
READ MORE: Pair of Vancouver Island first responders run with Wounded Warriors
In Qualicum Beach, the team of runners and their support group were met by Mayor Brian Wiese and Coun. Teunis Westbroek.
Wiese, a firefighter for more than 30 years, talked about his own experience with PTSD and expressed gratitude for the Wounded Warrior endeavours. Wiese said he approached event director Jacqueline Zweng to ask if he can join as one of the runners next year.
“It’s something very close to my heart so why not?” he said.
The team was treated to some clam chowder and sandwiches for lunch. They then left to be in Port Alberni where two of the relay team members are from – Maria Marciano, a Port Alberni RCMP constable, and Dave Nesbitt, a first responder with the Canadian Coast Guard.
On Friday, the Wounded Warriors will head to Parksville where they will stop at the Mt. Arrowsmith Royal Canadian Legion at 10 a.m. Then they leave for the Lantzville Royal Canadian Legion, where they are expected to arrive at 11:45 a.m.
The 600-kilometre, relay-style run down the length of Vancouver Island is held annually to raise awareness and funds for Wounded Warriors Canada – a national mental health service for uniformed first responders such as firefighters, police, paramedics and military members.
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