N.S. foundation supporting first responders’ mental health to host inaugural ‘The Amazing Chase’

The inaugural Amazing Chase in support of the Tema Foundation is happening next month – find out how you can take part and support a great cause.

An upcoming event in Halifax will allow participants to take part in challenging tasks, all while supporting the mental health of frontline workers.

The Tema Foundation will host its inaugural “The Amazing Chase” event along the Halifax waterfront next month.

The charity provides mental health education and training to first responders, their loved ones and workplaces.

Mike Janczyszyn has been a paramedic for more than a decade and says the foundation’s resilience training is especially crucial.

“I don’t remember kind of initially having the mental health training before, 15 years ago … and obviously it’s a very important topic,” he told CTV Morning Live’s Crystal Garrett.

“It used to be you have the physical training because our jobs are physically demanding, but there’s also the mental toll as well that plays into that.”

Cheryl Matthews, Tema’s CEO, came up with the idea for the fundraiser thanks to her love of reality TV and “The Amazing Race Canada.”

“Last year, we had Tyler Smith, who is a Humbolt Broncos bus crash survivor, he came and spoke at our education day, and he and his girlfriend Kat actually won ‘The Amazing Race Canada,’” she said.

“After chatting with him I got this idea, let’s do ‘The Amazing Chase,’ we’ll have some corporate people on the Halifax Waterfront paired up with first responders and we’ll raise some money.”

There are currently five teams of two signed up and the foundation is looking for more to join. Janczyszyn will be among those taking part.

“I’m looking forward to it. I think it’s going to be exciting and it’s raising money for a good cause,” he said.

Matthews said businesses along the waterfront have been very supportive of the event so far.

“And there will be pit stops along the waterfront and people are going to find things that exist on the Halifax Waterfront that they didn’t really know were even there, I’m finding out some wonderful things,” she said.

People can register for ‘The Amazing Chase’ now and either pick someone to pair up with, or the foundation will do it for them.

“Everybody knows a first responder in our community, so they can have a first responder join with them. Go to our website, register for ‘The Amazing Chase’ event and on Sept. 12 we’ll have a whole lot of fun on the waterfront,” Matthews said.

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