October 20, Halifax -  Rick MacDonald’s Running Sober run for the Salvation Army ended on Saturday at the front door of the Army’s Booth Centre on Gottingen Street.

The seven-day, 270-km run is over … but efforts to raise awareness of the Army’s rehab programs and to reach out to people who need them won’t end, MacDonald told those gathered at Booth Centre to help celebrate his 150-mile (270-km) run from Amherst to Halifax.  (MacDonald, 49, is a recovering addict who came back from the brink in 2004,  helped by the Centre’s addiction rehab programs.)

The campaign’s second goal, to raise $10,000 to fund a Running Sober Endowment Fund got a boost every step along the route as generous Nova Scotians pledged support.  The Fund got a huge shot in the arm, Saturday, when Larry Hansen, manager, marketing & communication, Credit Union Central of Nova Scotia, presented a substantial cheque on behalf of the Credit Unions of Nova Scotia. Credit Union branches have been accepting donations to the Fund. Figures for monies raised during the run should be available at month’s end.

The Fund will provide dollars for extra life-skills courses and outside training for others in the rehab Program.  Efforts to raise dollars for the  Running Sober Fund won’t end with Rick’s run. For more details, see www.salvationarmy.ca/runningsober 

MacDonald told his audience he was approached by several people on his run, anxious to talk about how to get help for themselves or for loved ones struggling with alcohol or substance problems.

Commenting on his amazing journey, MacDonald said:  “I could not have done this without the hugs and prayers and hope of so many.”

Rick’s Journey Of Hope continues.