Team members of the 2023 Wounded Warrior Run made their way Wednesday to 888 Wing in Comox, completing the fourth stage of the eight-day run that began Feb. 26 in Port Hardy and ends March 5 in Victoria.
The team ran 58 kilometres Wednesday from Campbell River to Comox. Day 5 (Thursday) is a 131km stretch from Comox to Port Alberni — the longest leg of the run.
The event was created to bring awareness and to raise funds for Wounded Warriors Canada, which provides mental health supports for uniformed first responders.
This year is the 10th time the event has spanned the length of Vancouver Island.
“We have noticed that the conversation around mental health has been getting a bit easier each time we come around,” team member/Wounded Warrior B.C. director Capt. Jacqueline Zweng said at a reception at 888 Wing. “I think that’s because of the support and willingness of all the people in our communities to come forward and join us in that conversation. It’s not just our team, it’s everybody here that is helping to normalize that.”
She said Wounded Warriors program evaluations are showing that members are feeling safe, supported and understod.
“That has become the three pillars to what we are trying to ensure, that every member who serves and experiences some sort of trauma is allowed to still feel safe, supported and understood for what they are going through,” Zweng said.
Gord Thompson of Comox Valley Search and Rescue, who has taken a Wounded Warrior program, was a special guest on Wednesday’s run.
“The program was life changing for me,” he said. “I don’t like to say ‘healed,’ I like to say it’s like ‘post-traumatic growth.’ We’re all stronger stepping out of that room afterwards. I can continue to be with the Search and Rescue, and active, and serving our community.”
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
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