Kevin Redsky (left) with members of the Coaldale RCMP, including Staff Sgt. Glenn Henry (centre), Lethbridge Police Service and Harmony Redsky (far right) - Lethbridge News Now photo

By Justin Goulet

Duo walking across Canada to raise awareness on youth mental health

Sep 1, 2020 | 11:18 AM

COALDALE, AB – Walking across Canada seems like quite the daunting task.

It’s a challenge being taken on by Kevin and Harmony Redsky. The couple is raising awareness for the mental health of youth through their “Hope in the Darkness” walk.

It all started in 2018 with Kevin telling Lethbridge News Now that the first portion of the walk stretched from Newfoundland to the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Redsky said this summer marked a continuation of that initial walk in 2018.

“We departed [Winnipeg] on July 15. Our anticipated arrival date is October 12 in Vancouver at a place to be determined,” he told LNN.

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“We’re raising awareness…the youth suicide crisis is troubling for us to deal with given our personal story, but we do raise funds along the way, we engage with communities, virtual sessions, whatever opportunity we can get to share our message.”

He explained that seven years ago, he lost his niece to suicide, which in turn inspired the formation of Hope in the Darkness.

Redsky is a retired law enforcement officer with 16 years of policing experience, and noted he’s seen his fair share of youth in crisis.

“I’ll be reassessing in March where I’m going to go [career-wise]. I think I’d love to shift my work to youth in care,” he said.

Part of Hope in the Darkness is issuing a challenge to law enforcement across the country, with members from RCMP and police detachments taking part in the walk.

On this current leg, Kevin and Harmony Redsky are being accompanied by the Coaldale RCMP with assistance from the Lethbridge Police Service.

Tuesday’s walk will span from Coaldale to the outskirts of Lethbridge, right to the city’s welcome sign.

Staff Sergeant Glenn Henry with Coaldale RCMP believes it’s a great cause, raising awareness for mental health among youth.

“This is actually a K Division RCMP-wide initiative,” Henry explained to LNN.

“Our RCMP detachments from Redcliff right through to Crowsnest Pass are going to be on Highway 3.”

The Coaldale RCMP and LPS picked Kevin and Harmony up in Barnwell on Monday and will be accompanying them all the way through to the Fort Macleod RCMP detachment.

“We’re happy to do it and we’re happy to keep them safe,” Henry said.

He’s asking all drivers to watch out for the walkers as well as their law enforcement escorts.

“Safety is probably the most important thing, so we want to make sure we have vehicles behind them for sure and up front through some of our more congested areas but if I get an opportunity to step out and walk with them, I think it’s important to show that respect and show that this is an important cause,” he remarked.

Motorists are asked to switch to the passing lane of Highway 3, if possible, when passing by Kevin and Harmony Redsky.

Kevin added that they’re planning an open invitation community walk in Lethbridge starting at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, September 2 on 33 Street North.

“Anybody who wants to join us [is] welcome to walk with us through Lethbridge. We love the company.”

For more details on Hope in the Darkness and to track the walk’s progress, visit the cause’s official website and Facebook page.