An Ontario man who began his run across Canada to raise money for mental health passed through Winnipeg Wednesday.
Carter Armstrong began his running in Vancouver on April 10 with a goal of raising $100,000 for causes related to mental health. So far, he has hit 2,400 kilometres on his coast-to-coast run.
Armstrong says he started his campaign based on his battle with mental health.
“A month before I set off on this journey, I was in a dark place and I attempted suicide,” Armstrong said. “I lost a buddy two years ago to suicide and a lot of close family members. So, it’s something that hits really close to home.”
Armstrong’s friend Taylor Carrier took his own life in August 2024. Armstrong says he was one of the funniest guys he’d ever meet and the life of the party.
“Unfortunately, I think everybody can relate or knows someone that’s taken their own life, especially for men,” says Armstrong.
“It’s hard to see the signs sometimes,” he added. “So I’m really pushing reaching out to you loved ones, you never know what someone’s going through. So be kind at the end of the day, it takes nothing to be kind.”
The day after Armstong made an attempt on his own life, something special happened.
“I went for a run. It was -20 Celsius — you know Canadian winters — and decided I was going to do it solo, run across the country to raise awareness for mental health and show that you can do hard things and you’re not alone,” he says.
Armstong has so far raised $30,000 doing his solo run — no team, no driver and nothing but a 50-pound backpack.
“People help me like letting me crash at their house or get me a hotel or drop me off water on the side of the road,” he says. “It’s been pretty cool, it’s the ultimate Canadian way, because I’m relying on other Canadians to help me along.”
Armstrong is 350 kilometres from his hometown of Dryden, Ont. From there it’s another 3,500 kilometres to St. John’s, N.L. where his journey would end.
“You learn a lot when you spend so much time with yourself, it’s been really impactful to me, yeah it’s been pretty special,” he says.
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