EDMONTON — Hundreds of people, dressed head to toe in camouflage, participated in a mock military battle Saturday to raise awareness and funds for those suffering from PTSD.
An eight-hour airsoft game was held at Grunts Paintball, north of Morinville, in support of Old Boots Veterans Association, a community-based support group for veterans and RCMP members who have experienced an operational stress injury.
“This event is very, very dear to me,” said Scott Collacutt, owner of Grunts Paintball. “I served in the Canadian Military for 21 years and I was released under PTSD, medical release.”
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Collacutt retired in 1999 and said at the time there was very little support for guys like him.
“When I was first diagnosed with PTSD there was only two social workers at the base,” he said, “and there was several hundred patients.”
“It was 1999 when they first opened there and that’s when I was retiring. They were doing the best they could but it was a Band-Aid at best.”
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Liz Massiah was one of the social workers who worked at the base with Collacutt. She’s the co-chair of Old Boots and said events like the one held Saturday are extremely important for raising awareness for PTSD and the organizations that help those with the disorder.
“We’re just trying to reach out to all of the people who are isolated, who are hiding in their garages, hiding in the woods, just not being able to cope with being out in the world,” said Massiah.
“There is a place where you can feel safe, you’re not going to be judged. We can talk about whatever you need to talk about and get some support to help carry you through and hopefully learn some skills to manage life better.”
Jeremy Dunford is with Lord Strathcona’s Horse, an armoured regiment with the Canadian Forces. Dunford was one of more than 200 people who took part in the airsoft game Saturday. He said the cause behind the game hits very close to home.
“We suffered a loss recently this summer,” he said. “We want to do what we can to support those kind of guys.”
“This community of airsofters is a huge supporter of the military and they’re always very giving when it comes to this charity.”
With the help of several area businesses, the goal was to raise $12,000 at Saturday’s event.
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