Military and first responder teams walk from Petawawa, Ont. to Ottawa
Going for a nice walk sounds like a good way to spend the Labour Day long weekend. Walking 170 kilometres from Petawawa to Ottawa, not so much.
That’s the challenge 38 active and retired military members and first responders are taking on Saturday and Sunday, raising money for Wounded Warriors Canada.
The Walk for the Wounded started in 2020 with four retired CFB Petawawa members taking on the entire journey themselves. This year, teams of military, police, fire, and EMS members are splitting the walk; eight teams of four members each, with each member walking a marathon’s length.
“It’s a full 26 miles plus wearing a 20-pound tactical vest, and doing 22 push-ups every kilometre,” explained Corey MacNeil, who is an Acting Sergeant with the Ottawa Police Service. “So it’s going to, for lack of a better word, suck really bad.”
MacNeil will be walking the final leg for his team Sunday, which ends on Parliament Hill.
“We wanted to find something that brings people as a team together and kind of bring teams against each other in a competitive nature,” Dylan Pace, one of the founders of the Walk for the Wounded, told CTV News.
“For one, a lot of veterans end up going into a first responder role. Beyond that, first responders show up every day to do their job. The mental health aspect isn’t just focusing on one or the other, but that community [of first responders] in itself is going to understand each other the best anyone else can,” said Pace.
For people taking part like MacNeil, it’s a cause that hits close to home.
“I spent seven years in Petawawa in the infantry with the First Battalion Royal Canadian Regiment. Many friends, coworkers perished over in Afghanistan and still are suffering from traumatic injuries.”
MacNeil said starting the weekend journey in Petawawa was cathartic for him. “Just going back to Petawawa you see a lot of ghosts, and it is helpful. It keeps you in touch with your past.”
Andrea Coutu, a paramedic in Ottawa, completed the first leg of the walk for her team.
“I’m not bad but I’m definitely feeling it. Started at 5 a.m. together, stuck together [with the other teams] the entire time.”
But for her teammate and coworker, Matt Friesen, who is taking on the next leg, it’s expected to be a long eight hours ahead.
“I’m expecting some heat and some distance. I think it’s probably going to be tougher than I think,” laughed Friesen. “Three of my coworkers are actually in the reserves. So I’m out here to support them, and support everyone else in the military.”
This year’s Walk for the Wounded has raised over $60,000, with Pace hoping to hit $70,000 by the time they finish walking Sunday.
For Coutu, she knows her pain and sweat today will help her coworkers in need of support tomorrow.
“It’s so important; you see it all the time at work, so it’s good to raise awareness for it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal man dead after boat explodes in Fort Lauderdale
A Montreal man is dead and several others are injured after a boat exploded in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Mother-daughter duo pursuing university dreams at the same time
For one University of Windsor student, what is typically a chance to gain independence from her parents has become a chance to spend more time with her biggest cheerleader — her mom.
Azerbaijani airliner crashes in Kazakhstan, killing 38 with 29 survivors, officials say
An Azerbaijani airliner with 67 people onboard crashed Wednesday near the Kazakhstani city of Aktau, killing 38 people and leaving 29 survivors, a Kazakh official said.
Historical mysteries solved by science in 2024
This year, scientists were able to pull back the curtain on mysteries surrounding figures across history, both known and unknown, to reveal more about their unique stories.
King Charles III focuses Christmas message on healthcare workers in year marked by royal illnesses
King Charles III used his annual Christmas message Wednesday to hail the selflessness of those who have cared for him and the Princess of Wales this year, after both were diagnosed with cancer.
Alberta premier hopes for health reform payoff in 2025, regrets deferring tax cut
"It may have been better for Albertans if we'd implemented and then found a way to be able to pay for it."
NFL's Netflix debut on Christmas Day kicked off without a glitch
Mariah Carey opened Wednesday’s doubleheader with a taped performance of “All I Want for Christmas is You” before Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs faced off against Russell Wilson, T.J. Watt and the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Second storm incoming for Christmas Day in southern B.C.
Environment Canada has issued a new series of weather warnings for British Columbia’s south coast Christmas morning.
Pope urges 'all people of all nations' to silence arms and overcome divisions in Christmas address
Pope Francis in his traditional Christmas message on Wednesday urged 'all people of all nations' to find courage during this Holy Year 'to silence the sounds of arms and overcome divisions' plaguing the world, from the Middle East to Ukraine, Africa to Asia.