Underneath dark clouds spewing down rain, the 1st annual Heliset Hale Relay (which means "awaken life within you") officially left Port Hardy.
The brave six person relay team featured returning runners Paul, Bernice Smith, Leon La Fortune, and a few new recruits as well.
The runners all huddled underneath a tent in Carrot Park to give speeches on suicide awareness and how it has impacted them, before eventually taking off up the highway.
The 1st annual Heliset Hale Relay “Awaken Life Within You” takes place from September 17-25, 2016. Six (6) team members will run from Port Hardy to Victoria to raise awareness of suicide prevention and mental health initiatives in the Vancouver Island region.
The team will be visiting First Nation communities and schools to share their personal story and messages and to connect with others to inspire positive change. The relay ends at the Pauquachin Nation at 1:00pm on Sunday September 25, 2016.
Come out to support the team and this great cause. For more information go to: http://www.helisethale.com/