Thomas Mellish – Running for Law
Thomas Mellish, a paralegal with McEwan & Co. Law Corporation in Trail BC, will be running along the Old Cascade Highway from Rossland to Christina Lake to raise funds for the Nelson CARES’ Advocacy Centre. Clocking in at 65km, and over 4500ft of elevation gain, this run is almost as hard as navigating the complex legal and government structures that the Advocacy Centers helps people negotiate every day.
Only 1% of the lawyers who are qualified to work in British Columbia choose to work within the Kootenay District. Many of these lawyers are nearing retirement, and when they do this shortage will only become more acute. As a result people are naturally forced to address their legal concerns themselves, often drafting their own wills or contracts. This can have unexpected and devastating consequences.
Thankfully, The Advocacy Centre helps to fill these gaps. Those who are navigating the legal system can discuss the legal landscape with an advocate, consider the available options, and, perhaps most importantly, be emotionally supported to make an informed decision. All this comes at no cost to the person asking for help.
When asked why Thomas wanted to take this on, he said boldly, “I am a runner, I use this time to unwind from the intensity of working within a stressed legal system. The Old Cascade Highway has become my go-to running route since moving to Rossland. And why not? With its rolling slopes and babbling creeks I can run for miles while the stress melts away.
Unfortunately, since moving to Rossland and learning about the proposed magnesium mine on Record Ridge, the Old Cascade Highway is under threat.”
It only seems right, then, to raise money for The Advocacy Centre by running along the Old Cascade Highway. To bring attention to both of these important issues.”