‘Everybody and anybody can join’: Retired Kemptville police officer walks to combat bullying, fundraise for youth mental health

Retired Kemptville police officer Craig McCormick is finalizing details and readying himself for his fourth annual Take A Stand-Lend A Hand campaign.

This campaign consists of McCormick donning his pink hockey jersey and walking a minimum of five kilometres per day around towns and cities in the Ottawa-Lanark area to raise awareness and fight against bullying. 

McCormick will start his walk in Kemptville, but will also make his way through Merrickville and Brockville before stopping in Ottawa at Parliament Hill to raise awareness.

“As a police officer for 30 years, I’ve seen a lot of cases of bullying in youth and in adults,” he told Brockvilleist. “So just four years ago, I decided to start this awareness campaign about the ugliness of bullying.”

Documenting his experience online, McCormick has garnered growing media exposure in recent years and a positive reception from the public for his efforts.

“The reception has been awesome. It’s a topic that’s important due to social media and everything. People are affected by it, whether they know someone else or have experienced it themselves.”

While walking, McCormick tries to build connections with local business and community members to spread his message near and far.

“I give out decals, and I meet people crossing paths while walking. If they want to, we discuss the issues. I go into businesses, just quaint little boutiques, and tell them why I’m walking out here.”

McCormick will begin his awareness walks on Feb. 10, with plans to end on Feb. 26, which coincides with National Pink Shirt Day (Anti-Bullying Day). This year, he will be fundraising for CHEO mental health services during his walks. Donations can be made online and every penny raised will go directly towards these services. 

McCormick is also selling quality Canada flags, with $5 from each sale also going towards the CHEO programming. To purchase a flag, you can contact Craig directly on Facebook.

He encourages people to follow his campaign Facebook page for location updates, including his daily walk videos and photos. “Everybody and anybody can join on the walks wherever I’m walking on any given day.”