Fantastic Friday

Posted on June 22, 2012 by Tim Burrows

The Fantastic Friday post this week is all about a very special group of people who are quietly taking big steps to bring attention to a very serious issue.

I had put them on the schedule for this day about a month back and since doing that I’ve had several people point out to me what they are doing in hopes that they would get the Fantastic Friday spotlight.

Have you ever been impacted by crime?  Has your house been broken into?  Have you been assaulted, harmed by criminality in any way?  You are a victim. A victim of crime.  You’ll probably also know that you don’t have much of a voice in the justice system and will often seem like no one listens to you or is interested in your rights.   All the attention and rights protection seems to fall on the criminals.

There is a group that is doing everything they can to change that and bring awareness to this problem in the name of the victim’s.

“The first step in a journey of a thousand miles.”

Freedom Walk – Journey for Justice is a group of men and their supporters that have been trekking across Canada to raise awareness and money for the victims of crime.

“5 men, 63 days, 4500 kilometres all to support victims”.  That’s right, to support victims.  They started their journey on April 22nd, 2012 in Vancouver, British Columbia and will finish tomorrow, June 23 in Toronto, Ontario.

Their mission? Take a look at this from their web site…nothing but the truest sense to #BeGreat, #BeNice and #PayItForward all in the name of giving victim’s #aVoice

Mission

The Five with D.R.I.V.E Foundation (5WD) in collaboration with Canadian Crime Victim Foundation and Victim Services across Canada intend on: Giving Victims of Crime a Voice.

The Freedom Walk will be the “First step in a journey of a thousand miles.” Along the route, we will engage in speaking and educational events where we will share our message with local schools, community groups, and populations. A focus will be placed on anti-violence/anti-bullying and victimization in Canada.

This initiative pledges to be free of political interests, prejudice and pride. Our combined efforts will put those we strive to empower – victims, at the forefront of our efforts.

We are neither equal in capacity, nor potential, we are only equal in our responsibility to serve the poor and stand up for those that have suffered from injustice.

Who are they?  Who are the people who put their own lives aside in the name of others?  The same people who o it day in and day out…police officers and that people who support victims and victims themselves.

  • Daniel Rossi, Calgary Police Service
  • Andrew Rossi
  • Mark MacDonnell, Royal Canadian Mounted Police
  • Rob Skelley
  • Travis Juska, Calgary Police Service

They started out walking together to give victim’s of crime #aVoice and documenting their journey on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

As they near the end of their journey, they are moving ever closer to their goal.  No one ever should settle for reaching a goal so won’t you help them not reach it, but blast through it.  Please donate to this very worthwhile cause.

If you can make it to Toronto tomorrow at 2:30pm, please come to Queen’s Park to welcome these men and their supporters who have given of themselves and made personal sacrifices for those who need it most in the journey through the justice system…the victim’s.

Want to see their journey and what they’ve been up against?

About Tim Burrows

Tim Burrows was a sworn police officer for 25 years with experience in front line operations, primary response, traffic, detective operations and supervision. He has training in a broad spectrum of policing responsibilities including, IMS, Emergency Management, computer assisted technology investigations, leadership, community policing and crisis communications. Tim is available to assist you with your social media program and communication. Click here to contact him http://bit.ly/ContactTimBurrows
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