Mike Warren’s shoes were made for walking.
The Comox Valley resident is lacing up his sneakers to tackle his third fundraising event - Mike’s Miles - a multi-day walking fundraiser in support of the Comox Valley Head Injury Society. He has set a goal to walk a minimum of 20km a day for seven days beginning June 14 at 10 a.m., beginning at the CVHIS office at 102-254 Simms St.
A few years ago, the Comox Valley resident, brain injury survivor, and father and retired businessperson began walking longer distances and started a similar fundraiser for the organization.
He begins every day by walking; his main 8.5km loop through Courtenay takes him mostly through the forest where he says he identifies birds and plants along the way.
“For three years, I’ve put my feet to movement. The goal of the fundraiser is to raise awareness - you never know when you need help.”
Warren walks his loop 365 days a year, rain or shine and recently turned 70. One of his goals was to say that he could do Mike’s Miles in his 70s.
“It’s certainly healthy and it’s free. I can say I haven’t been in better shape in my life.”
Warren said he walks at a normal pace, listens to music, carries water and stops for lunch or ensures he snacks on some of his homemade baking. He estimates each 20km walk will take him about five hours.
Warren sustained his injury, along with partial blindness in the treatment and removal of two brain tumours between 2000 to 2006.
He spends nearly every day racking up distances which he calculates using his iPhone. He averages 27,800 steps a day which equals about 10 million steps a year.
In previous years, Warren has raised around $3,000, and hopes to beat that number this year.
Donations to ‘Mike’s Miles’ are being accepted via www.cvhis.org/donations.
photos@comoxvalleyrecord.com
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter