PEMBROKE — The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families is hosting its first annual “Run for Mental Health.” This is a competitive cross-country race that will be held at Ma-te-way Park in Renfrew on August 25. The run will consist of a chip-timed 2km walk/run and 5km run that is open to all ages.
Families will gather from across Renfrew County. Registration will open at 8 a.m. with the 5 KM starting an hour later and the 2 KM following shortly after at 9:10am. Wanting to leave an environmentally positive impact, each registrant will get their very own reusable water bottle to emphasize the use of non-disposable plastic water bottles!
A big thank you goes out to the numerous sponsors for providing both cash and prize donations and to the Town of Renfrew for hosting. Major sponsors include Aikenhead Drug Store, Berrylane Trailer & Patio Furniture, and Speed River Timing – the routes for the race wouldn’t be possible without their efforts throughout the course and start/finish lines! Unlike other races, this event will feature cash prizes for the fastest three female and male competitors for both distances, thanks to The City of Pembroke and Valley Window & Door! Various businesses across Renfrew County have generously donated prizes for the runners along with food, entertainment, and refreshments.
To register for the Run for Mental Health, or to get more information please go to The Phoenix Centre’s website at www.phoenixpembroke.com or visit their Facebook Page @phoenixcentrerenfrewcounty.
All proceeds from the event will go directly to funding the 24/7 Child and Youth Crisis Line for Eastern Ontario and other mental health initiatives benefiting children and youth in Renfrew County including free walk-in clinics. The agency’s free walk-in clinics, located in Arnprior, Renfrew, Pembroke and Petawawa serviced over 200 children last year with the top three reasons of seeking assistance being anxiety, family relationships and school-related triggers. Without this program, children would have been left waiting approximately 2-4 months before seeing a counsellor due to lack of funding and accessible local resources. Events like this not only bring the community together to collectively help end the stigma of mental health, but are critical for the maintenance of these much sought-out free services.
The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families looks forward to raising awareness about mental health issues in children and youth and promoting positive mental health practices!
“Ending the stigma, one step at a time!”
For more information or to get involved, please contact Katie Tollis-Flabbi at [email protected] or 613-717-2417.
