With police, ambulance and fire crews escorting them, runners make their way through Langford on the last day of the Wounded Warrior run.
“We’ve been running the length of Vancouver Island in relay-style for the last eight days raising funds and awareness for Wounded Warriors Canada,” says Jacqueline Zweng, the Wounded Warrior Run BC director .
The 7th annual Wounded Warriors run covered more than 600 kilometres from Port Hardy to Victoria — raising money and awareness along the way for military and first responders suffering from operational stress injuries like PTSD .
“I’ve suffered with mental health almost my whole life and it’s certainly been exasperated by my career and I just feel being apart of this cause, it’s a worthy cause and it’s important and it needs to be talked about,” says 911 call taker and runner Ashley Duncan.
Running and speaking out, they’re working to reduce the stigma around mental health so people who need help aren’t afraid to ask for it.
“The need is right here in our own communities, right here on Vancouver Island,” Zweng says. “And also their families. We also have programs for families.”
Stopping at legions, community halls and ambulance, police and fire departments along the way, the eight runners spoke about their personal experiences. —
Pounding the pavement, they’re raised more than $150,000 this year — a record amount — for life-changing programs for those suffering on Vancouver Island.
Read More: Wounded Warrior Run underway to help Island first responders living with PTSD
Tess van Straaten
