By: Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Running through five provinces and 4,200 kilometres later – ‘The Fellow in Yellow,’ Trevor Redmond recently passed through Lakeshore as he continues his cross-country trek through his Movement for Movement initiative, in which he encourages all Canadians to embrace mobility.
Since leaving Halifax Harbour last March, Redmond has made his way running through small towns, where he has been warmly received by many who feel inspired by his journey.
His latest trek across southern Ontario, recently included a stop at the old St. Joachim Church, which is being prepped for renovation and revitalization by a volunteer group within the small community.
After arriving with his cart – his story takes an interesting twist.
According to Redmond, he had received a message that there was an open house being held at the church on Nov. 9th – and he knew he needed to make at a stop to see for himself what was going on.
“As I run across the country, I see a number of old buildings falling into disrepair,” he said. “The history and the memories…I felt it was a must stop on my journey,”
The church, built in 1890, had served St. Joachim until it closed its doors in 2000. A small group of volunteers is hoping to breathe new life to the St. Joachim Church, which has sat vacant for almost a quarter of a century.
Ironically enough, Paul Mullins, who is spearheading the project to save the historic building, had actually met Redmond on a street corner in downtown Halifax on the harbour before he began his journey.
The two greeted each other with familiar smiles and a hand-shake.
“It’s a reunion of sorts,” said Mullins, a Woodslee resident known for his working in historic restorations across the region, including Assumption Church in Windsor. “We first met on a street corner in downtown Halifax where he was training. I’m so happy to know that you’ve been able to get this far.”
Redmond concurred and said it was fate that would bring them together again.
“This is the type of story that reinforces the work I’m doing,” he added. “Seeing Paul again inspires me to keep going and push myself further”
The burning question to The Fellow in Yellow…why?
“I always say when people ask me that question, ‘Why?’ Because I can. Because I have the ability to. And I want to show that ability to everyone and encourage them to show their abilities,” explained Redmond. “I want mobility for all. The more we move, the more we move others.”
In 1986, the teen was struck by a vehicle and almost lost a leg. Spending 1 1/2 months in the hospital and going through a dozen surgeries his cast came off 10 months after the accident,
and he had an open wound on his leg for 1 1/2 years.
In 2006-07, he walked across Canada for cancer research. He later did the same on a bicycle in 2009.
Why dress in yellow? He says it’s to highlight the importance of our health care system.
“We heal as we move,” he said.
Redmond, 53, says that his journey is about resilience and the strength which exercise brings to both body and mind.
“I am hoping that my cross-country trek will motivate individuals to start their own health journeys, proving that a little inspiration and community support can go a long way in helping everyone achieve better health and resilience,” Redmond said.
To follow please visit www.thereandbackcanada.ca/the-fellow-in-yellow and on Facebook.
Be the first to comment