'It's a continuous journey': North Bay woman does 50 km triathlon for survivors of gender-based violence
A North Bay woman who is a childhood trauma survivor took Trout Lake and Corbeil roads by storm at the crack of dawn Sunday morning, swimming, biking and running in a 50-kilometre triathlon for Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre.
Chelsea LeBlanc and Tyler Hergott run 10 km in 50 km triathlon for Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre in North Bay. June 4/23 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
SEEKING HELP
A survivor of childhood trauma and former Amelia Rising client, Chelsea LeBlanc said she found herself in a difficult relationship and became re-traumatized.
That is when she reached out to the centre for support.
"One of the hardest things was walking through that door and admitting I really needed additional help," LeBlanc said.
"So I needed additional help and because Amelia Rising is specific to sexual violence survivors, it was the best place for me to go. Everybody heals at a different pace and it's a continuous journey."
Through her time accessing services and counselling, she found the services helped her in her healing but found out the centre faced long backlogs that still exist to this day.
"We have a wait list of almost 100 people and that translates to a four to fiv- month wait list," said Amelia Rising Sexual Violence Support Centre public education coordinator Natalie Austin.
"There are a few different areas at our centre that are in need. We are underfunded."
The need is what inspired LeBlanc to start the fundraiser.
- Download our app to get local alerts on your device
- Get the latest local updates right to your inbox
"They don't have a lot of money and their supplies were very limited," she said.
ON A MISSION
This year is her fourth annual 'I Tri For Amelia' triathlon, after starting the fundraiser in 2020 to help other survivors.
To date, LeBlanc has raised more than $5,500 for the centre.
Last year, she completed the 40 km North Bay Triathlon Route.
Pushing off into the cool waters of Trout Lake on Sunday morning with LeBlanc was her friend Tyler Hergott.
Childhood trauma survivor swims 1.5 km in Trout Creek as part of a 50 km I Tri for Amelia fundraiser for the North Bay sexual violence support centre. June 4/23 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
They are on a mission to help as many gender-based violence survivors as they can.
After a quick lap in the calm waters, LeBlanc and Hergott hopped on their bikes pedaling away before dropping them for the final lap – running a 10 km run completing the length of an Olympic triathlon.
Chelsea LeBlanc cycles 40 km in the I Tri for Amelia, a fundraiser for a local sexual violence support centre in North Bay. June 4/23 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
As she pushed through the triathlon, LeBlanc said she hoped to inspire other victims to seek the help they need.
"The first step is making that phone call," she said.
Left to right: Tyler Hergott, Chelsea LeBlanc and her partner Eric. June 4/23 (Eric Taschner/CTV Northern Ontario)
To learn more about her fundraiser or to donate, click here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Video shows suspect setting Toronto-area barbershop on fire
Video of a suspect lighting a Richmond Hill barbershop on fire earlier this week has been released by police.
'I have the will to live': N.B. woman needs double lung transplant
A New Brunswick woman suffering from sarcoidosis, a disease that limits your lung capacity, is in need of a double lung transplant.
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Premier Legault reiterates that McGill pro-Palestinian camp must be dismantled
Quebec Premier François Legault reiterated that the pro-Palestinian encampment at McGill University must be dismantled while police remain 'on the lookout for new developments.'
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.