Five Northumberland OPP officer spent Saturday, July 16, 2022 walking 42-kilometres from Hastings to Cobourg in support Walk for the Wounded.
Sgt. Orlando Eitzen along with Constables Richard Boyd, Kyle Duckett, Keith Lindley and Dylan Misseri
The group of five officers from Northumberland OPP started off at 5:15 a.m. from Hastings Marina on their journey to the Northumberland OPP Detachment in Cobourg.
Misseri said the walk has happened annually for three years and was started by a group of veterans who wanted to get mental health to the forefront for first responders, military members and veterans from both the military and first responders.
The walkers were also carrying 22-pounds vests and every hour would stop and do 22-push-ups.
Speaking part way through the walk, Misseri said the aches and pains the officers felt were nothing compared to what many soldiers, veterans and first responders are dealing with.
“You keep that in the back of your mind and you keep going.”
The group arrived at Northumberland OPP station in Cobourg at 2 p.m.
The total time for walking was 7 hours 19 minutes for the 42-kilometre walk which worked out to approximately 56,000 steps.
Along the way the each walker did 198 push-ups.
“It made for a great day,” Misseri said after the walk.
“The last eight kilometres definitely is where you have to dig deep. You start giving yourself that positive self-talk, looking at the people around you and just knowing you’re doing it for them and for a greater cause.”
Another positive note – Misseri had no doubt that all the officers had a good sleep on Saturday night.
A goal of $4,000 was set for this years walk and Misseri said he hopes to make it an annual walk.
For anyone wishing to donate go to www.walkforthewounded.ca, then go to the donations page and you’ll find Northumberland OPP.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
