The fourth annual Fallen Heroes Softball Tournament was hosted throughout Kings County the weekend of July 8.
The tournament was first held in 2014 as a way to honour the three police officers fatally wounded during a shooting rampage in Moncton – Const. Dave Ross, Const. Fabrice Gevaudan and Const. Douglas Larche.
Founder Nick MacLean, a Halifax-based officer who previously served in Kings County, said he felt the tournament would be a great way to rally people together to raise money for important causes year after year.
For 2017, 32 teams and more than 450 players signed on to play ball in support of Paws Fur Thought and Rally Point Retreat – two non-profit organizations that offer support services for individuals suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
“The first year we had 19 teams and just over 200 players. It’s grown every year. This is the most we’ve had,” said MacLean.
“It’s great to see the support.”
Paws Fur Thought pairs military and emergency services personnel suffering from PTSD with service dogs, while Rally Point Retreat acts as a respite facility for various groups of individuals receiving treatment for PTSD and operational or combat stress-related injuries.
“With first responders PTSD is really quite common, but it’s also in the general public as well… mental health is important,” said MacLean.
“We just want people to be aware that it’s common and it’s good to come forward and talk about it.”
