An Ontario man will journey through Red Deer this week to spread awareness about children’s mental health.

Bret Mavriik began his walk last fall in Ontario and he continues to make his way to Whister, B.C. He is joined by his three-year-old Siberian Husky, Nymeria.

The pair left the CN Tower in Toronto on Sept. 28th and they are making their way to Whistler Mountain.

“We have been out for a while,” he laughed. “We get a hotel once in a while but mostly it’s Nymeria and I out in an ice hut tent. We carry all the supplies, we don’t have road support or sponsors – it’s just her and I.”

During the course of his 5,500 km journey, Mavriik said he has had a lot of discussions about children’s mental health with people he’s met. “I’ve heard a lot of really sad stories out there. When you see how young these kids are when they are thinking about committing suicide – that has blown me away,” he said.

“Talk time is over – let’s do something,” he said. “It’s a major thing. It’s time to take this seriously. We need to do something.”

Meanwhile, Mavriik said it has been an amazing experience to have his dog by his side the entire way.

“She’s amazing. We don’t just get up and walk. We play and stop at different farms and fields. We stop, we stop and wrestle.”

For more information or to donate to the cause, check out ‘Followourwalk’ or ‘Nymeria’s walk to Whistler’ on facebook or visit www.followourwalk.com.

efawcett@reddeerexpress.com