Vicki L MorrisonWounded Warriors Canada received a $120,000 donation from Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch on Thursday, November 6th during a charitable presentation at the Royal Canadian Military Institute in Toronto, Ontario.
The donation comes as a result of an ongoing fundraiser in support of Wounded Warriors Canada where two dollars is donated from every bottle of Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera sold across the country. The funds raised directly support Can Praxis, one of Wounded Warriors Canada’s pioneering national programs and the leader in PTSD equine therapy for ill and injured veterans and their families.
“Since 2012 our partnership with Wounded Warriors Canada has been guided by the ethos of ‘families helping families’ and we are so honoured to support the healing of our Canadian Forces members. We will continue to support through our donation program in 2014 and beyond,” said Beth-Anne Thomas, national brand manager, Glenfiddich Single Malt Scotch.
Can Praxis, co-founder Steve Critchley was overjoyed to hear the news of the major donation from Glenfiddich. As a result of the funding Can Praxis will offer Phase III of their Equine Therapy Program, a three-night pack ride in the Rockies, to veterans for the first time.
“The funds allow us to provide the program at no cost by covering the expense of travel, hotels, meals, and in hardship cases babysitting. The dollars will also help cover the fees of the outfitters and facilitators,” said Critchley.
The Can Praxis Equine Therapy program is for veterans who have been diagnosed with PTSD and/or OSI and their spouse, partner, family member or friend. The program uses horses to help soldiers recover from the environmental stresses of combat and regain their family relationships through promoting successful communication. The funds raised by Glenfiddich this year will support the total cost of assisting the healing for approximately 60 new pairs in 2015.
“We will now run approximately one Phase I per month, several Phase II in the summer and at least one Phase III. Phase II and III are completely outdoors, so they are weather dependent and can only run late spring through early fall,” said Critchley.
To date Wounded Warriors Canada has received over $300,000 in charitable support from Glenfiddich, William Grant & Sons Ltd. They began their fundraising efforts in 2012, providing all $52,000 of proceeds from a record-breaking Scotch to the not-for-profit organization.
In 2013, the Glenfiddich 15 Year Old Solera changed it’s packaging to reflect the ongoing $2 donation campaign. Earlier this year, Glenfiddich announced they would sponsor Wounded Warriors Canada’s annual donation to Can Praxis as the sole program beneficiary of the Wounded Warriors Canada partnership.
William Grant & Sons is an independent family-owned distiller founded by William Grant in 1887 and today still controlled by the fifth generation of his family. William Grant & Sons distils some of the world’s leading brands of Scotch whisky, including the world’s favourite single malt Glenfiddich.
To be loaded on a program please call Steve Critchley at 403-631-2489. No further paperwork is required.
