By Mark Squibb/August 5, 2022
For the seventh consecutive summer, Renews couple Bill and Susan Guniney are raising funds for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
Each summer since 2016, the Guiney’s, either through push-up challenges, mental health walks, or a combination of both, have raised funds for the association. Last year, the Guineys raised about $30,000 walking from Port aux Basque to St. John’s— while also doing 400 push ups a day. The Guineys didn’t even let COVID stop them, porting the fundraiser to an online platform for the 2020 event. In total, the couple estimate that they have probably raised about $80,000.
This summer, the Guineys have been hitting the Irish Loop, with an event they’ve dubbed the Loop the Loop. Over the past four Saturdays, the Guineys have been in Riverhead St. Mary’s, Trepassey, Witless Bay, and Cape Broyle, walking ten kilometres in each community.
They’ll wrap up the Irish Loop tour in their home town of Renews on August 13.
“The support this year has been awesome,” said Guiney. “The towns are actually handling most of the organizing. All that we’ve been doing basically is getting the word out and getting people to walk with us. The towns are paying for the food for the BBQ’s and all that kind of stuff.”
Many experts believe that the COVID-19 pandemic and concurrent lockdowns may have negatively impacted folks’ mental health.
“The mental health association has gotten so many more calls, and the need is so much more, since COVID hit,” said Guiney. “It’s ben very hard on people that have good mental health, so I can only imagine how hard it’s been on people who were suffering before COVID.”
The Guiney’s launched the fundraiser following difficulties faced by their two daughters in 2015.
Folks can donate online at Loop to Loop on CanadaHelps.org, make a donation in person, or etransfer to willguiney@gmail.com .
