Don Devenney has take the notion of helping out a friend to new extremes.
The 53-year-old View Royal resident is heading to Morocco in April to take part in the Sultan Marathon des Sables, a grueling 250 kilometre run stretched over six sun-baked days across the Moroccan Sahara desert.
Devenney, who has served as a West Shore RCMP auxiliary constable for the past 16 years, is running to raise money for the Canadian Arthritis Society. He draws all the motivation he needs from his friend Rhonda, who appeared to have cleared a few health hurdles before she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis a few years ago.
B次元官网网址淚 was training for a marathon and was thinking about Rhonda. I thought IB次元官网网址檓 out here running and there are days when she canB次元官网网址檛 even get from the bed to the couch,B次元官网网址� said Devenney, manager of the IT department at Canadian Sport Centre Pacific. B次元官网网址淚 offered to try and raise some money to help with the cost of her treatments in the U.S., but Rhonda would have none of that, unless the money I raised went to help everyone with her condition.B次元官网网址�
Devenney managed to raise $2,700 by approaching people to sponsor him in a marathon in 2009, and approached Rhonda and the Canadian Arthritis Society about doing the same in the Sultan Marathon des Sables.
He applied to participate 18 months ago, found out last February that he was selected in a lottery to take part. He has been training ever since.
B次元官网网址淩honda and the Canadian Arthritis Society were eager to jump on board,B次元官网网址� said Devenney, a veteran of six Ironman triathlons, six marathons and numerous other events, including the Tour de Rock in 2008. Despite that experience, he is quick to agree that the upcoming event is in a class of its own.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a huge undertaking, and I donB次元官网网址檛 really know what to expect. With the Tour de Rock, I knew what I was getting into, but this is a whole different level, unknown territory,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey supply a tent and water every day. Everything else you need you carry in a pack on your back. IB次元官网网址檒l train hard, show up at the start line and give it my best shot. RhondaB次元官网网址檚 not getting any better, so I draw all the inspiration I need from her and her amazing daughter.B次元官网网址�
The opportunity to help fellow citizens and friends such as Rhonda and work with a variety of challenges is what keeps Devenney volunteering as a West Shore RCMP Auxiliary.
B次元官网网址淭he members and staff are just great to work with,B次元官网网址� added Devenney, who also uses his hobby as a an instrument-rated pilot to volunteer with Angel Flight of B.C., flying primarily cancer patients from remote areas to Vancouver and Victoria for treatment.
B次元官网网址淚 was inspired to do that by one of the kids I met on the Tour de Rock,B次元官网网址� he said.
Devenney is fortunate to have Mike Suminski, a well-known ultra-marathoner and running coach, helping him prepare for the Sultan Marathon des Sables.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 also getting a lot of assistance from some of the specialists at Canadian Sport Centre Pacific,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淵ou couldnB次元官网网址檛 find a better place to work.B次元官网网址�
A recent fundraiser he organized with assistance from the Victoria Academy of Swimming raised $750, and donations to the webpage set up with the Canadian Arthritis Society have already topped $1,100.
Anyone who would like to make a donation to Running for Rhonda can do so at arthritis.akaraisin.com/p/running4rhonda.aspx.
Rick.Stiebel@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
B次元官网网址擱ick Stiebel is the Langford-RCMP community liaison.
