As winter approaches and many prepare for the cold months ahead, Steve Wood is already looking six months into the future, gearing up for his next big race. In 2025, Wood will again participate in the Taylor Wood Memorial Run for Mental Health during the Ottawa Race Weekend. This will mark the fourth consecutive year that Steve is running to raise funds for The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre (RDFCC), a cause close to his heart in memory of his daughter, Taylor.
Over the past three years, Steve has raised more than $35,000 for the RDFCC; this year, he is determined to raise even more. “I appreciate all the support I have received from the community in memory of Taylor,” Steve said. “I’m just a dad who wants to honor his daughter, and I do it through running.”
Steve is signed up to complete the full marathon (42.2 km) on May 25, 2025, and has already started his training for the event. To share his journey with the community, he has started a video diary, which he plans to update regularly over the next six months, keeping everyone informed of his progress as race day approaches.
Understanding the challenges of fundraising, Steve is kicking off his efforts in conjunction with Giving Tuesday (December 3, 2024). “This year, I’m thinking outside the box with my fundraising efforts,” Steve explained. “I know several people use Giving Tuesday to start their Christmas season, so I am asking people to consider donating to the Run for Taylor as part of it.” Steve also suggested that instead of buying Christmas cards or gifts for hard-to-shop-for loved ones, people could donate to the Run for Taylor to support mental health services in the community.
The Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre (RDFCC), founded in 2013, provides free mental health support to low-income adults in Renfrew County, ages 17 and up. In 2023 alone, the RDFCC provided 5,000 free counseling sessions, making a significant impact on the mental health and well-being of the community. With the funds raised through the Taylor Wood Memorial Run, Steve hopes to continue supporting this vital service and help even more individuals in need.
For more information on how to donate or support the Taylor Wood Memorial Run, visit the online donation page at 4th Annual Taylor Wood Memorial Run for Mental Health – CanadaHelps
(Written by: Emma Butler)