Every technique was on the table, provided bosses who'd fundraised for the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society took the plunge at WildPlay. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

1-2-3-GO!

VIDEO: $50k+ raised to ensure Nanaimo brain injury survivors ‘not only survive but thrive’

Oct 14, 2023 | 6:12 AM

NANAIMO — Despite it being the Halloween season, screams heard over the Nanaimo River Friday afternoon were not of the spooky variety.

Whether for team-building, comradery or playful peer pressure, over 30 ‘bosses’ took the bungy jump plunge at the third annual Toss the Boss fundraiser for the Nanaimo Brain Injury Society, held at WildPlay on Friday, Oct. 13.

The event was raising money for sorely needed and in-demand supports and services for those living with brain injury and their families, and had raised over $53,800 by the event’s end.

“We know the need is greater than ever to support brain injury survivors and families, especially in critical areas such as mental health, housing supports, making sure that people get the kind of support they need to not only survive but thrive in life after brain injury,” Kix Citton, executive director of the Society said.

More donations were expected to trickle in over the coming days, pushing the total even higher.

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Participants were charged with raising a minimum of $1,000 to be able to jump, with many going above and beyond.

Many teams raised in excess of $2,500 with Chinook Scaffold Systems Ltd. bringing in nearly $7,000 themselves.

Citton told NanaimoNewsNOW after jumping for the third time, it was heartwarming for the community to continue supporting this event, which has raised well over $150,000 for local programs and services in its history.

The additional funding, which Citton classified as “unrestricted” allows them to be a little more nimble than cash injections from government or other sources.

“We know that in our community got hit especially hard with the toxic drug crisis and the connection between non-fatal overdose where people have experienced multiple overdoses and they’ve stopped breathing, to what we call anoxic or hypoxic brain injury is something that needs to be addressed.”

Citton also highlighted additional services for victims of intimate partner violence resulting in brain injury are, sadly, in high demand.

Supporters (and hecklers) watched on as the bosses took their jumps. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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