Wounded soldiers team up with civilian business leaders to tackle some of Canada's most remote locations to raise money in support of Canada's Veterans and military families
TORONTO, June 8, 2017 /CNW/ - True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL) announces the launch of the True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition: Best of Canada Series.
Building on the success of previous expeditions to the Himalayas (2012), the North Pole (2014), and Antarctica (2016), in honour of Canada 150, TPL is leading teams of ill and injured soldiers, along with Canadian business leaders, on a series of incredible expeditions across the country. Together they will conquer some of the most remote and challenging locations in Canada including an intensive sea kayak adventure off the coast of Newfoundland (June 9 – 17), a thrilling recreation of the last leg of Sir Alexander Mackenzie's first crossing of North America (July 9 -23), and a challenging white-water canoe expedition through the Northwest Territories (July 29 – August 12).
Working as a team to complete the mission, participants will face physical, emotional, and mental roadblocks together. By doing so, these individuals will get outside of their comfort zone and become a team. In addition to reaching their physical goals, the expedition team will collectively raise critical funds and awareness for our brave Veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families.
In addition to providing meaningful mentorship opportunities for soldier participants, previous expeditions have raised more than $5 million to support Veterans, and their families, as they transition to civilian life. Funds raised have allowed for enhanced job training and recruitment, provided 144 Veterans with rapid job placement, helped to fund more than 4,600 hours of peer-to-peer mental health counselling, and allowed for a $500,000 investment to create a virtual reality therapy program for Veterans living with PTSD which is now being used across the country.
The True Patriot Love Scotiabank Expedition: Best of Canada Series is extremely grateful to be supported by many generous sponsors and partners who are committed to supporting Canadian military families. The Presenting Sponsor for the expedition series is Scotiabank, the Platinum Sponsor for the Mackenzie leg of the expedition series is Mackenzie Investments and our Airline Partner is Air Canada.
Quotes:
"True Patriot Love is committed to providing much needed support to our military families and Veterans. The expeditions provide an opportunity for participating soldier team members to face personal roadblocks on their journey of transition into civilian life. Many soldier team members are dealing with visible and invisible injuries as a result of their service, and this experience will provide them the opportunity to share their stories, bond with other participants, and transition into a fulfilling civilian role following service."
- Bronwen Evans, CEO, True Patriot Love Foundation
"Expeditions are largely team pursuits and as was often heard on the TPL North Pole Expedition, no man should be left behind. This same ethos applies to our injured veterans. They have served Canada and now it is our turn to give back and help them navigate as they forge a new life outside of the military."
- Susan McArthur, North Pole Expedition civilian participant (2014) & Co-chair of the Mackenzie Expedition (2017)
"Every day is a challenge, but you have to accept that challenge and get over it. My war with the Taliban ended that day in March, but my war with my injuries just began and it's a war I continue to fight."
- Cpl. David MacDonald, Himalayas Expedition soldier participant (2012)
About True Patriot Love Foundation
True Patriot Love Foundation (TPL) is a national charity with the mission to inspire every Canadian to contribute to the resilience and well-being of our military and Veteran families. Since 2009, TPL has provided more than $18 million to support military families, including supporting more than 100 community-based programs across the country that address the unique challenges resulting from service including mental health, physical rehabilitation, transitioning to civilian life, and the special needs of children. In addition, TPL contributes to advancements in research and technology through our $5 million commitment to the Canadian Institute for Military and Veterans Health Research (Queen's University). For more information, visit www.truepatriotlove.com
SOURCE True Patriot Love Foundation
For media enquiries, please contact: Laura Hearn, Senior Director, Marketing and Communications, True Patriot Love Foundation, (647) 213-4631, [email protected]
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