Cyclists Raise $150,000 for Veteran and First Responder Mental Health
TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2017 /CNW/ - After two days and nearly 250 kilometers travelled, more than 100 cyclists from across the country concluded the second annual Wounded Warriors Canada Highway of Heroes Bike Ride with an historic ride up University Avenue into Queen's Park.
The event began Saturday morning at the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial in Trenton, Ontario with a commemorative service honouring the 158 members of the Canadian Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice in Afghanistan. The route took the group alongside the sacred stretch of highway from Trenton to Toronto in order to raise funds and awareness in support of those living with Operational Stress Injuries such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Scott Maxwell, Executive Director of Wounded Warriors Canada, commented, "Our Highway of Heroes Bike Ride is a unique cycling experience. The ride brings communities and Canadians from coast-to-coast together who are united in our mission to honour the fallen and raise funds and mental health awareness to support our Veterans, First Responders and their families living with Operational Stress Injuries. The composition of the group, which includes members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Veterans, First Responders and civilians, is indicative of the fact that we, as a nation, are in this together."
HIGHWAY OF HEROES BACKGROUND:
In 2007, a 170 kilometre portion of Ontario's Macdonald-Cartier Freeway, better known as Highway 401, was designated the Highway of Heroes, reflecting its use as the route for funeral convoys carrying fallen Canadian Armed Forces service men and women from CFB Trenton to the coroner's office in Toronto. From 2001 to 2014, 158 Canadian Armed Forces members made the ultimate sacrifice in the cause of peace and freedom in Afghanistan.
ABOUT WOUNDED WARRIORS CANADA:
Wounded Warriors Canada is a national mental health charity whose mission is to honour and support our ill and injured Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, First Responders and their families. The organization provides a wide range of programs and services for individual members and families affected by Operational Stress Injuries. As a privately funded charity, the organization is made possible thanks to the care, compassion and generosity of Canadians and Canadian businesses from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
Charity Quick Facts:
2016 donations exceeded 3 million
82% of expenditures delivered to mental health programs and services
13 National programs supported by the charity
Privately funded, receiving no public financing.
SOURCE Wounded Warriors Canada
Media inquiries: Matthew Wocks, Director of Communications, Phone: (647) 572-4627, Email: [email protected]
Share this article