(All Photos by Barry Gray – July 31-2019)
In this family, no one stands alone — words that shape the operating principles of the newly launched Ottawa First Responders Foundation.
On July 31st, the Ottawa First Responders Foundation (OFRF) was officially launched at Village Square Park in Stittsville. The Foundation has been in the works for about 10 years under the auspices of Brenda Tirrell, a volunteer firefighter in Stittsville, and who has been named as the inaugural President of the Foundation.
The OFRF will bring the first responder family together to deal with mental health challenges by addressing the issue with further resources. These resources will entail the provision of much needed peer support, better informed clinical support and education for young new recruits.
It has been a realization of Brenda throughout ten years of service that “although programs are available, there is so much more support that our first responder family require and OFRF wants to be there for the members under any circumstances to provide that support”.
All donations will be used to fund the mental health resources and programs that OFRF will have in place for first responders. With the hope of raising $100,000 in the next year, the Foundation has already received some generous donations from Wired Synergy and Walker Real Estate Group each donating $15,000 and a local couple having donated $1,000 with further support to OFRF as their legacy.
All donations from the 9runrun taking place on Sunday, October 19th in Stittsville will be used to fund the Foundation. 2019 will be the 10th Year Anniversary of this amazing, annual event that supports first responders — police, fire and paramedic services. Participants can register or donate at www.9runrun.ca.
To donate or find out more about the Foundation — www.ottawafrf.ca.