York Regional police officer embarks on autism advocacy journey

York Regional Police Constable Adam McEachern (CTV News)

On Thursday, York Regional Police Constable Adam McEachern will set off on a nearly 1,000-kilometre journey across Ontario to raise awareness and funding for neurodiverse children and their families.

Father to two neurodiverse children, McEachern is no stranger to the advocacy in athletic form. Since 2020, he has raised approximately $100,000 for Kerry’s Place Autism Services, Autism Ontario and Special Olympics Ontario through various endurance events.

So far, McEachern has completed three 24-hour fitness challenges and a 12-hour fitness challenge in the name of charity.

• York Region police officer takes on a 24-hour fitness challenge in support of his son

This year’s challenge will be the longest and biggest one to date, as McEachern plans to travel from Windsor to the Terry Fox Statue in Ottawa.

The plan is to cover the 989-kilometres one day a time, by covering 20-25 kilometres on foot and 35 to 55 kilometres on cycle each day.

One of the stops along the way for McEachern is Alliston on May 5 for a flag raising at town hall.

McEachern’s journey is expected to take until May 17 to be completed.