Known locally as the Healthy Hiker, Linda Murphy has walked the talk of advocating and supporting women who have escaped or are suffering in a domestic violence situation.
Murphy hiked 3,000 kilometres in 2019 in support of My Friend's House and other shelters across Canada along the Pacific Crest Trail and this summer she trekked the 900 kilometre Bruce Trail. The 2019 hike raised more than $30,000 for women's shelters, and the 2021 hike gathered more than $60,000.
She presented $40,843 to My Friend's House on Nov. 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Murphy's presentation was part of a flag-raising ceremony to launch the start of this year's Courage campaign by My Friend's House, a Collingwood-based women and children's shelter.
"Thank you for providing safe accommodation, counselling, education, and nurturing for the women and children in our region who are survivors of domestic abuse," said Murphy. "If this can save at least one life, that's my dream."
She encouraged others to support My Friend's House and other women's shelters in Canada.
"I will keep hiking and I will keep advocating," said the 61-year-old. "Bu I hope that the steps that I take and have taken will inspire you to just keep talking and keep encouraging. Encourage courage ... We can do anything together to advocate for and support those most in need, so let's do it."
Alison FitzGerald, the executive director for My Friend's House said the Courage campaign both raises awareness and funds for the shelter and International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women.
This year, donors will receive a Courage pin, and FitzGerald is asking them to wear it to the end of the year as a reminder of the need for courage to be a community effort.
"The courage of a woman along is not enough to end gender-based violence," said FitzGerald. "We are asking the community to support the work of My Friend's House by donating and wearing a pin."
The purple Courage flag was raised at the Collingwood Public Library community flagpole on Nov. 25 and will fly there for the next few days.
