Run for wounded vets kicks off

Ashley Duncan, Dan Bodden, Steve Deschamps, and Rebecca Schillemat participate in a Wounded Warrior Run BC training run on Feb. 9. Photo by John W. Penner, John’s Photography

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

The Wounded Warriors Canada fundraising account just went up by $85,000 after a team of eight runners ran from Sooke to Sidney on Feb. 9.

The one day 60-kilometre training run introduced the public to the upcoming weeklong Wounded Warrior Run BC and to the mental health challenges faced by many veterans and first responders.

“We wanted to create a buzz for our upcoming main event, and connect with more communities, especially those where we haven’t stopped before,” said Captain Jacqueline Zweng, run director.

The relay style run starts Feb. 23 in Port Hardy, located at the northern tip of Vancouver Island. Each person tackles a portion of the run each day, stopping in communities along the route to educate people about operational stress injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder.

When the runners spring up the steps of the BC Legislature on March 1, they will have covered more than 700 kilometres and raised $250,000.   

This year’s team: Matt Carlson, Personnel Support Programs; Constable Samson Haire, Victoria Police Department; Mark Blachurus, Paramedic; Ashley Duncan, Langford Fire Dispatcher; Constable Maria Marciano, RCMP Port Alberni; Constable Daryl Baswick, Victoria Police Department; Mike Bowen, Coast Guard; and Rebecca Schillemat, a military spouse.

To support their efforts follow the WWRBC Facebook page or visit their web page at: https://woundedwarriors.ca/events/wounded-warrior-bc-run/