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Escarpment Magazine Spring 2014
ESCARPMENT
®
OUTSIDE
|
gibraltar 6 hour relay
One in fourwomenwill sufferabuse from
men according to national statistics. My
Friend’sHouse seesover200womenand
children every year andanswers over 1500
crisiscalls. Theyhavebeen in thecommunity for22
years and have a24/7availability for women in need. Not
onlydo theyprovideahaven, theyalsooffer counseling, legal
advocates, and themoral support to help build back fragile
souls.
It is still a long roadahead forHeather. Her self-confidence is
shaken to theboneand she is still terrifiedat the thought of her
abuser. Her hands trembleas she tellsme that he is being re-
leased from jail thismonth. The first3monthsaftera jail term is
themost dangerous andwhenmost murders occur. Shemay
have tobe transferred toanother safehouse inanothercommu-
nity– there isanetworkall over southernOntario.
Despite this astounding fact Heather stands proudand smiles
at theopportunity to tell her story, shehas vowed tobe strong
andbea rolemodel for otherwomen. Shewants her story to
be told loudandclear soothersmay find the strength tomake
that call to their versionofMyFriend’sHouseandescapeavi-
ciousandharmful relationship.
We raised$10,000 forMyFriend’sHousewithTheGibraltar
6HourRelay in2013–ourgoal is toquadruple that in2014.
We need teams – 4 person teams of family,
friends and racers,weneed corporate sponsors
andwe need to spread theword of how essen-
tial the services of My Friend’s House are.
Back on the race course I wonder: have I goneout too fast?
Thequestionbounces thrumy consciousness asmy heart rate
soars andmymouth feels like the Sahara. I daren’t takemy
handsof thebarsas the turnsare tight andoften,my shoulders
brushing the trunks of the trees. With five anda half hours of
racing still togo I hopemy teammates aregoing to ease thru
the courseallowingme someextra rest inbetween laps. Our
teamhasbeen racing together foryears,acommon loveofac-
tivity and the outdoors transformed into enduring friendships
that create life longmemories.
The trail flattens and straightens and the cheers of the crowd
and theboomingmusic from theDJ send rocketsof energy thru
my legs. I sense the finishandenergywellsup inme. The feel-
ingofpushingmy limits, sharing thisadventurewith friends,and
doing it all inaidof anamazing causebrings a huge smile to
my face. My faith inpixies fully restored I round the last bend
and seemy teammateswaiting formeat the line.
Thisyear’sracetakesplace:
July 5 @ 10am
Registeronline:
TofindoutmoreaboutMyFriend’sHouse:
A great big THANK YOU goes out to our generous sponsors: Royal LePage Locations North • CIBC Children’s Fund
Fortress Real Developments • Grant Thornton • Janet Carlisle • Outdoor Gear Canada
My Friend’s House sees over
200women and children
every year and answers
over 1500 crisis calls.
