Two DND employees prepare for Wounded Warrior relay

Philippe Lucas (right), Vice President Global Patient Research and Access representative with title sponsor Tilray, presents a cheque for $10,000 to Wounded Warrior Run BC members PO2 (Retired) Stephane Marcotte, Susan Marcotte, Matt Carlson and Wounded Warrior Run Director Captain Jacqueline Zweng. Photo by J. Kacki Photography

Peter Mallett, Staff Writer ~

Two employees from the Department of National Defence (DND) are preparing to traverse Vancouver Island in support of Wounded Warriors Canada mental health programs.

Master Seaman Mary McGregor from CFB Kingston and Matthew Carlson, a Personnel Support Programs employee from Esquimalt, are among a team of seven runners taking part in this year’s Wounded Warrior Run B.C., Feb. 25 to March 3.

The relay-style run is to raise funds and awareness about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Operational Stress Injuries (OSI) impacting current-serving military members, veterans and first responders.

The runners will set off in Port Hardy Feb. 25 and cover over 600 kilometres before reaching the B.C. Legislature in Victoria on March 3. Along the way they will stop at community centres, schools, fire halls and branches of the Royal Canadian Legion where they will be cheered on by supporters and boosted by donations to their cause.

Wounded Warrior Run BC held their official launch at Legion Branch 91 in Langford on Feb. 8 where they announced a fundraising goal of $100,000 for this year’s campaign. The money will be used for support programs operated by Wounded Warriors Canada.

Captain Jacqueline Zweng of the Regional Cadet Support Unit is returning as the run’s director and announced $30,000 in donations had already been raised.

A $10,000 donation from medical cannabis supplier Tilray Canada and another combined $10,000 donation from the Town of Langford and the West Shore Developers Association have accounted for an early surge in donations.

Capt Zweng, who also worked as the run’s Director last year, says more community organizations and municipal governments have thrown their support behind this year’s event which has helped fundraising snowball.

She also noted that Rear-Admiral Bob Auchterlonie, Commander of Maritime Forces Pacific, is backing them too and will participate in the last leg of the run from the Afghanistan Memorial to the B.C. Legislature. 

“I have also had a huge and positive response from mayors and [municipal] councils from across the Island who are going to come out and support us along the run. They are now asking us when we are going to be showing up in their communities. It is an incredible shift to have leadership stand up and say we are important; it encourages others to think in the same terms.”

Other team members are: Saanich Police Department Detective Constable Lori Timpson, Victoria Police Department Constable Samson Haire, Petty Officer Second Class (Retired) Eric Meredith of the Metchosin Volunteer Fire Department, Mike Bowen, a Rotary Wing Engineer with the Canadian Coast Guard, and media runner Chris Loran, a Roadie with Victoria radio station The Q 100.3.