The Wounded Warrior Run made its way through the Cowichan Valley in brilliant sunshine Thursday, Feb. 20, stopping at the Duncan Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion in mid-afternoon.
"This is so important. The reception we've been getting everywhere has been wonderful," said Channing Knull after he completed the Chemainus-to-Duncan leg of the relay. "The weather is great; it's almost been too warm today."
He and some other members of the team showed off a special flag given them by the mayor of Port Hardy. At stops along their run they've been getting people to sign it and encouraged Duncan Legion members to join in the show of support.
Founded in 2006, Wounded Warriors Canada is a non-profit organization that helps Canadian Forces members - both fulltime or reservists - who have been wounded or injured in their service to Canada.
Through a wide range of programs and services, the group helps find solutions where there are gaps in support.
Currently, the primary focus is on mental health and, particularly, the staggering impact of posttraumatic stress disorder, perpetrated by operational stress injuries.
Overall, however, our mandate is to help veterans in need as they transition to civilian life.
A team of dedicated runners ran a relay for the length of Vancouver Island over six consecutive days from Feb. 16 to Feb. 21.
The journey began in Port Hardy and ended in Esquimalt, covering in excess of 600 km.
Each athlete ran between oneand-a-half and two hours, with the relay averaging 30-60 km each day.
Visit woundedwarriorrunbc. com to learn more.