Mary Muir, left, and daughter Katie at the fundraising event called James' Journey in Toronto.KEVIN VAN PAASSEN/The Globe and Mail
The donor: Mary Muir
The gift: Creating James' Journey
The cause: To raise money for Delisle Youth Services
James Muir never let on to his family that he was struggling with mental-health issues. When he died by suicide three years ago, his family was left trying to cope with the loss.
Mr. Muir's widow, Mary, wanted to do something to raise awareness about mental illness and help reduce the stigma associated with it. "James and I were big walkers," she recalled from her home in Toronto. "So I thought about starting a walk."
That led to the creation of James' Journey, an annual stroll around the Muirs' neighbourhood in north Toronto. The walk isn't especially difficult and only takes about 15 minutes. But it gives a chance for people to gather to talk about Mr. Muir and mental health.
So far, the journey has raised more than $50,000 and the proceeds go to Delisle Youth Service, a counselling organization in Toronto. The Muirs' daughters, Katie and Jennie, were in high school at the time their 54-year-old father died and both benefited from Delisle counselling.
"I won't lie; it's difficult," Ms. Muir said about organizing the annual walk. But talking about mental health is too important, she added. Her goal now is to "reduce how many people die of suicide."
Paul Waldie