Friday, March 29, 2024

Canadian Veteran begins walk from Prince George to Victoria for PTSD Awareness

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Robert Gagnon is on an inspiring journey: an 876 kilometre walk across British Columbia, raising awareness and funds for sufferers of PTSD.

On Wednesday, 44-year-old Gagnon began his trek at the Prince George Cenotaph. Military personnel gave him a formal send-off while an enthusiastic crowd looked on and cheered.

But the road ahead for the former Army Corporal and current Corrections Officer remains long and arduous. With over a month of travel to go until Gagnon estimates he’ll arrive at the BC Legislature, completing the route will be no easy task.

Gagnon standing
Photo by Tish Heeley

“This is going to be a very hard journey for me, personally,” Gagnon told the crowd. “But it’s something that I really want to do. I want to take a message to Victoria not just for myself but for every one of you that work in corrections, fire, sheriffs, RCMP, [and] any other person who suffers from PTSD. You guys are all heroes in my heart.”

In the build up to his journey and over the first couple days of walking, Gagnon has regularly posted videos and progress updates to his Facebook page. He’s also set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for a farm in Quesnel and Honour Ranch in Kamloops, both of which work with Veterans and First Responders suffering from PTSD.

Gagnon’s schedule is liable to change, but in a recent update he posted the following progression of dates and cities:
  • 01 July 2017 ~ Quesnel
  • 04 July 2017 ~ Williams Lake
  • 07 July 2017 ~ 100 Mile
  • 10 July 2017 ~ Clinton
  • 12 July 2017 ~ Cache Creek
  • 15 July 2017 ~ Lytton
  • 17 July 2017 ~ Boston Bar
  • 19 July 2017 ~ Hope
  • 20 July 2017 ~ Agassiz
  • 22 July 2017 ~ Mission
  • 23 July 2017 ~ Maple Ridge
  • 24 July 2017 ~ Poco/Burnaby
  • 25 July 2017 ~ Delta

Gagnon has encouraged supporters to walk with him along the way. So, if you’re in any of the cities posted, keep an eye out!

Otherwise, you can follow along through social media and/or donate to his GoFundMe here.

Watch video of Gagnon’s departure ceremony below:

[fbvideo link=”https://www.facebook.com/groups/1063530673755244/permalink/1232208553554121/” width=”500″ height=”400″ onlyvideo=”1″]

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Alistair Ogden
Former staff writer at Victoria Buzz.

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