OTTAWA – Neil Dunsmore encountered more challenges than he anticipated on his 500km walk from Elora to Ottawa.
But he arrived at the Police and Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on Parliament Hill on Sept. 27 as planned. And he raised at least $16,000 for the Cody Shepperd Project, an initiative to support those affected by mental illness.
“I had gorgeous weather and the colours were beautiful,” he said in a phone interview on Sept. 29, just before departing the nation’s capital to drive back home.
“I met some interesting characters and a couple of nasty dogs. Toward the end the colours just exploded. Mentally that was a good lift.”
The Centre Wellington councillor called his journey “Steps to Stop the Silence” and he did it in memory of Cody Shepperd, a Centre Wellington student who died by suicide in 2017.
Dunsmore said COVID-19 has drawn even more attention to mental health issues, including the stigma that often keeps people from seeking help.
He said he thought he’d have the most difficulty on his trek with his knee. He’s had one knee replaced and needs the other one done too.
“It slowed me down but it didn’t stop me,” he said. “The last week was very painful, but I had the right medication and the right plan.
“But mentally? That was tough. But I told myself, well, you just can’t stop.”
Dunsmore said he met up with Senator Rob Black in Ottawa and they completed the last 5km together.
Black also arranged for a permit so Dunsmore and his team could congregate on Parliament Hill.
“You need a permit if there are more than six people,” Dunsmore said. “Ottawa is now a [COVID-19] hotspot.”
Dunsmore said he’s pleased he completed the trek and “over the moon” that he raised at least $16,000 for the project.
But he’s not in a hurry to do it again.
“Next step is to call the surgeon,” he said.
Donations to the Cody Shepperd project are still open and can be made at www.thecodyshepperdproject.com.
