Event Date:  Saturday July 20th, 2024  

Location:  Owen Sound Fitness and Training 

Registration opens at 9:00 am 

5km Walk starts at 9:30 am - Walk from the OSF&T to the Bayshore Community Centre and back 

The Story of the Walk for Courage: A Tribute to Jeffrey Courage

In 2019, the Courage family's world was forever changed when they lost their oldest son, Jeffrey, to suicide. This heartbreaking event highlighted the critical need for more comprehensive mental health services and broader awareness. Driven by a resolve to prevent similar tragedies and to honour Jeffrey's memory, the Courage family, in partnership with CMHA Grey Bruce, established the Walk for Courage in 2022.

The Walk for Courage is more than just an annual fundraiser; it's a community lifeline that brings people together to support mental health awareness and suicide prevention. It offers a space for individuals to walk in memory of loved ones lost to suicide or in honour of those who have survived attempts, thanks in part to the vital support they received. It's a reminder that while we walk in remembrance and sorrow, we also walk in solidarity and hope.

Funds raised during the event directly support essential Mental Health programs through CMHA Grey Bruce like the Friends and Neighbours (FAN) Club for young children, the Let's Talk program for teenagers, and the Talk Today initiative, a partnership with the Owen Sound Attack hockey team, which focuses on mental health among athletes. Additionally, the walk supports training in Mental Health First Aid, SafeTALK (Suicide Alertness for Everyone), and ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training), all aimed at equipping community members with the skills to recognize and act on mental health crises effectively.

This collective action fosters a supportive network that both commemorates those we've lost and celebrates the resilience of survivors. Every participant, every story shared, and every dollar donated fuels this crucial cause, helping to extend a hand to those in the darkest of places.

Join us in the Walk for Courage, where we honor the memory of Jeffrey and others lost too soon and celebrate the lives of those who continue their story. Your participation sends a powerful message of hope and support, ensuring that no one has to face their struggles alone.

Together, we can transform grief into action and loss into prevention, building a legacy that reaches far beyond our own lives.

We are grateful to use the Zeffy platform for this event.  Zeffy is a non-profit organization supporting the fundraising goals of non-profit organizations, insuring that 100% of donations received go directly to the charity, with ZERO hold backs.