Thursday will mark one year since Nicholas Zhou took his own life.
Two days later, his friends, family and dozens of other community members will gather to honour him and raise funds for an important cause.
It will be the first annual Nicholas’s Run for Youth Mental Health, a five-kilometre run, walk or stroll around Pioneer Park in Kamloops.
The fundraising goal of $5,000 has nearly been met and all of the proceeds are going to the Nicholas Zhou Legacy Fund at the BC Interior Community Foundation to support youth mental health in Kamloops.
“Many of you know (I) lost my son last year (to) depression,” wrote Zhou’s mom and local RE/MAX realtor Rie Takahashi in an Instagram post on World Mental Health Day in October.
“(A) day like today is a great day to remind ourselves it’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you’re going through.”
The event is open to the public and there’s still time to register, make a donation and learn more about Saturday’s proceedings online.
Online registration closes at noon on Friday, but you will still be able to register on site Saturday morning starting at 8:30 am.
Pre-run announcements and warmup will begin at 9 am with the run kicking off at 9:30 am.
Participants will be given wristbands with one of four uplifting messages surrounding mental health on them.
There will also be door prizes from Red Tag Fitness and Runners Sole, along with the Kochi Bao food truck that will be donating proceeds to the cause.
Click here to learn more about the event or to get involved ahead of Saturday. Recommended donations are $25 for adults and $15 for youth. Pets and children under 14 are welcome to join at no cost!
