Wounded Warriors Run 2019 launched in Langford February 8

Friday, February 8, 2019 ~ LANGFORD

~ West Shore Voice News

The Wounded Warrior Run BC team will be running down Vancouver Island February 25 to March 3 to raise funds and awareness for Wounded Warriors Canada (WWC).

The Vancouver Island branch of WWC officially launched their 6th annual fundraising run on Friday February 8 in Langford. As event participants headed into the Langford Legion there was a bit of snowfall. When they emerged around 1 pm, a 10 cm dump of snow was underway for the south island region.

Funds support programming for service personnel struggling with operational stress injuries such as PTSD. The relay-style run from Port Hardy to Victoria covers 600 km in seven days. The final destination is the BC Legislature in Victoria. Along the way, the team will stop at Legions and communities to raise awareness and funds for the support that Wounded Warriors Canada offers.

WWC is a national mental health charity that provides mental health programs to support veterans, first responders and their families. The organization has received consistent support from Langford for several years now, spearheaded by Langford Mayor Stew Young and his council. Last month Langford Fire Rescue officially partnered with WWC at an event held at Fire Hall #1.

“The Wounded Warrior Run BC team is on a mission to honour Canada’s ill and injured Veterans, First Responders and their families,” said Jacqueline Zweng, director of the Wounded Warrior Run BC. “We provide a source of hope as we reach out and talk about the wounds that are not visible.”

The Wounded Warrior Run BC is now in its 6th year and has become the largest fundraiser for Wounded Warriors Canada on Vancouver Island. This year’s goal is to raise $100,000 for innovative, life-changing programs.

“I am very proud to partner with Wounded Warriors Canada in supporting first responders, veterans and their families,” said Langford Fire Chief Chris Aubrey last month. “Those who are serving their communities and their country face unique mental health challenges and this partnership is a commitment that says no member is alone and we are there to support them. They never hesitate to answer the call to serve others and it is critical that we stand together to make sure our first responders and veterans have the access to resources they need to remain healthy and resilient.”

First responders are highly trained and skilled professionals who, due to the nature of their work, often face challenging situations that test their physical or mental health and safety. WWC’s approach to mental health is considered innovative in that it combines clinical best practices and evidence-informed care to create an environment for healing.

Chief Aubrey says that the two greatest health-related career challenges for firefighters are cancer and mental health. Exposure to chemicals contributes to the added cancer risk, and dealing with urgent often shocking scenarios can impact mental health.

WWC Executive Director Scott Maxwell sees the move toward shared efforts for mental trauma support as recognizing that it takes both leadership and recognition of the health aspects.

The federal government has provided some funding to WWC over the past few years. About $250,000 remains this year to be spent in the WWC budget to March 31 which is being used to roll out six or seven more Couples Overcoming PTSD Everyday (COPE) counselling program sessions before the end of March.

WWC revenues of $5 million per year are compiled from a variety of sources including individual giving, third-party donations (including communities), corporate fundraising events, and new contracts (such as the Canadian Coast Guard). Operating funds are used to pay clinicians who operate the various counselling programs, program materials, events and administration.

All funds donated from Vancouver Island stay on the island.

More about Wounded Warriors Canada:  www.woundedwarriors.ca