Police Chief Charles Bordeleau is running for kids in our community

By Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau

Running is an important part of my routine. It’s how I stay in shape and clear my head from a busy day’s work. Sure, it can be hard to find the time, but I believe it’s important to make fitness a priority.

This year, I’m running a half marathon in Tamarack Ottawa Race Weekend – an amazing local event that more than 49,000 people take part in every year. I’m running for two important reasons: To stay healthy and to help kids in the Russell Heights community be all that they can be.

Many don’t realize that when you sign up to run in Race Weekend, you can name a charity of choice and participate in the Scotiabank Charity Challenge. It’s a way to challenge yourself, do what you love, and support a cause close to your heart.

So on May 29, I’m not just running for me. By choosing United Way, I’m running for kids like Carolina, Edwin, and Morgan, who rely on the Russell Heights Community House to have somewhere safe to go to learn and grow.

Here’s why I believe Russell Heights is important: When school ends, many kids in that neighbourhood rely on the Russell Heights Summer Achievement Gap program. The program is an educational summer camp that provides kids with a place they can go to read, participate in sports and recreation, create art, and go on educational excursions in the summer months. Kids who attend this program will be able to keep up with their peers when school is back in session in the fall.

I’m also so happy to share that a few of those kids will join me in their own 2K race. I had the chance to meet them and warm up for a run with them:

Help kids be all that they can be and pledge your support.