By Ryan Crocker
The third annual Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk, Run, and Ride was held at Birds Hill Park on May 9 and, despite poor weather, all involved are hailing it as a success.
The event honours the memory of Andrew Dunn, who lost his battle with depression and took his own life in 2006.
“The weather certainly played with our event this year but we knew it was just a matter of time that we would have snow – after all, it is Manitoba!” said Judy Dunn of the Andrew Dunn Foundation. As his mother, the event is always as emotional for her as it is enjoyable. “At least there wasn’t torrential rain and there was no tornado spotted. Other than the weather, we feel it went awesome! We had some wonderful, hardy people attending this year and this just shows us and reaffirms their commitment to our cause.”
Dunn was especially pleased to see how the event continues to grow year after year. Among this year’s participants were Provencher MP Vic Toews, provincial Minister of Healthy Living Keri Irvin-Ross, Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba Executive Director Tara Brousseau, and Mental Health Director Sharon Bissonnette of the North Eastman Health Association. Springfield MLA Ron Schuler was unable to attend but ensured a representative brought greetings on his behalf.
“This was really a very positive day!” Dunn said. “We were also happy Doug Brown from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was able to make an appearance, sign a few autographs, and sign a few of our t-shirts!”
Others in attendance included Ace Burpee of Hot 103 Live, who served as master of ceremonies, and entertainers Fred Penner, Diamond Doug Keith, and Big Daddy Tazz.
Dunn said the feedback she received from participants was great.
“We had nothing but great feedback,” Dunn said. “We also received a few suggestions from our volunteers about how to make our event bigger and better next year, which we always appreciate. We are still learning and we want people to want to come out, not just to feel as though they should.”
All of the money raised this year will benefit the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba (MDAM). The Andrew Dunn Foundation and the MDM are working closely to produce public awareness advertisements for television and support other public awareness campaigns.
“We want to play a part in continuing educational programs as well as supporting suicide awareness campaigns,” Dunn said. “We hope to support and be a part of creating a youth-oriented website addressing depression and suicide. We will also continue to support our community with the Andrew Dunn Memorial Award for Springfield Collegiate Institute graduates and the Royal School Year-End Award.”
Dunn said they’re also planning a new award for the Springfield Middle School and will continue to support Changes Clubhouse in Beausejour.
The final total raised through this year’s Andrew Dunn Memorial Walk, Run, and Ride has not yet been determined as additional donations are arriving from would-be participants who were unable to attend due to poor weather.
Anyone interested in making a donation can send a cheque payable to the Andrew Dunn Memorial Fund or the Mood Disorders Association of Manitoba to the Andrew Dunn Memorial Fund, c/o Judy Dunn, P.O. Box 26, Group 23, RR2, Dugald, MB, R0E 0K0. Supporters who want a tax receipt should ensure to include their name and mailing address with their donation.
Dunn expressed her gratitude to all of the volunteers, planning committee members, and Springfield Kinsmen who helped as well as to supporters and sponsors like the Oakbank Co-op, Winnipeg Old Country Sausage, Sobeys, Safeway, Manitoba Hydro, Pharmasave, the Rural Municipality of Springfield, Pauwels Canada, Oakbank Family Fare, Oakbank Insurance, Kildonan Orthodontists, Cropo, Ivor Asham, Birds Hill Park, Springfield Collegiate Institute, Poplar Press, and the Running Room.
“I hope I am not forgetting anyone,” Dunn added. “The most wonderful thing that has happened over the past three years of holding this event is that we have so many individuals and businesses to thank now.”
Dunn also expressed her gratitude to Louis Gmiterek of Twilite Productions noting he managed to make her cry by remembering and granting a wish she made in the past. She also praised Jord Balinski, son of the Andrew Dunn Foundation’s Brenda Balinski, for designing this year’s t-shirts.
For more information about Andrew Dunn, the foundation, or the event, visit www.andrewdunn.org or call Judy Dunn at 444-5228. She also welcomes calls from anyone who is living with a mental illness and just needs someone to talk to.
Taken from: Beausejour Review
