The 150 foot bungy jump at Wildplay Nanaimo was the reward for bosses who raised a minimum of $500 towards the Victoria and Nanaimo Brain Injury Societies. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

toss the boss

Bungy fundraiser for acquired brain injury supports blows goals out of the water

Oct 3, 2021 | 5:57 AM

NANAIMO — Some screamed, some laughed, but all were eventually tossed off a bridge as the result of some extensive fundraising efforts.

Dozens of bosses from organizations across the Island took the 150 foot plunge at Wildplay Nanaimo on Friday, Oct. 1, all in an effort to raise money for the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society and their Victoria counterparts.

Kix Citton, executive director of the Nanaimo society, told NanaimoNewsNOW the money raised from “Toss the Boss” goes towards their programs and support services for people living with acquired brain injury.

“This includes one to one direct client services, system healthcare navigation, helping people get connected with resources, information, community supports.”

Citton added the money will also fund their education programs in the community which ensure brain injury survivors are aware of the supports and services available to them.

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The goal heading into the event was $50,000, however as of Saturday, Oct. 2, $82,254 was raised with more expected to be added through late donations and food sales.

Citton said around 450 people across Canada every day receive an acquired brain injury with the Nanaimo branch seeing around 200 new referrals every year.

Approximately four per cent of the Nanaimo population are living with some sort of brain injury.

“Everyone knows somebody who’s either had a stroke, concussion or an injury from an accident and because of that hidden disability or injury, brain injury just doesn’t get the attention it needs so brain injury survivors are often left to figure things out on their own.”

Citton jumped from the bridge early on Friday, an experience she called “really exciting and terrifying”.

“It all hits home when you get to the edge, your ankles are strapped in and you’re staring off into the wild blue yonder. This year has been really hard for so many people for so many reasons and it was a great opportunity to come out and have a personal challenge.”

Money raised for the event was split evenly between the Victoria and Nanaimo communities.

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alex.rawnsley@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley