Jamie McDonald is a fundraiser adventurer like you have never met before. The 27 year old man is from Gloucester, England but has called Canada his temporary home since arriving in St. Johns, Newfoundland on March 9th 2013.
For almost 10 months, McDonald; dressed as the superhero The Flash, has been running across this vast country from east to west, making kids smile while raising money for local Children’s Hospitals throughout our country. If successful, he will become the first person on earth to run from coast to coast unassisted. That’s over 5,000 miles – or about 200 marathons.
McDonald’s current quest brought him through Chestermere on Wednesday night. He was welcomed by a small gathering of supporters at the Chestermere Fire Hall where he spent the night before carrying onto Calgary Thursday morning. After a hearty meal hosted by our local hero’s at the fire fall, McDonald gave a captivating presentation to those who were eager to hear his story, taking the time to explain his history and inspirations which really created a deeper understanding of why he’s here, doing what no Canadian has ever done before.
As a child, McDonald was diagnosed with Syringomyelia, a rare condition that causes the development of a cyst within the spinal cord, triggering him to spend much of his first 9 years in hospital suffering from symptoms such as immune deficiencies and epilepsy. McDonald was unable to move without severe pain but miraculously, at the age of nine McDonald became better.
With a burning desire to give back for all the support he received as a child, McDonald began a series of incredible adventures, breaking world records along the way. His mission is not only to raise funds, but also to encourage children to live out their dreams. “I am trying to show people that we can do absolutely anything – you just need the courage to start”, says McDonald. “I’ve got this body – I might as well put it to good use.”
Suffering from chronic tendinitis, among other ailments the Englishman says that he simply makes the decision to get up each day and keep going despite the pain. “There are no limits to what human beings can achieve, the only limit is us and the ones we create.”
90% complete, McDonald now has the daunting task of crossing the Rocky Mountains during what is historically the coldest month of the year. He shares his thoughts on the daunting voyage ahead of him: “I am absolutely terrified of the Rocky Mountains” says Macdonald, “but I will embrace them just like I have embraced this entire journey.”
Traveling this nation alone and unassisted means he has had to rely greatly of the kindness of strangers, “Canadians are special in that you have an incredible amount of generosity, everywhere I go the people are lovely.” He says that part of his motivation is waking up each morning to a day full of surprises. “I had no idea that tonight I would be sleeping in a fire hall,” and he adds “My faith is on the Canadians.”
McDonald says that his motivation to continue is largely due to inspiration as well as the children. “Inspiration is 10 times better than anything a doctor can give you.”
“I want the children who are suffering with an illness- as well as their parents to know that I am here to support them.”
The funds McDonald raised in Alberta will go to the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation in support of sick children. To make a donation or to follow Jamie McDonald’s journey you can find him on facebook and twitter or visit his website at www.jamiemcdonald.org
