A local survivor of childhood sexual abuse is taking his message on the road and across the country, running 3,140 miles, to be exact.
Christian Griffith, 48, ran from New York to California to raise awareness and money for “Help For Children."
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After his five-month journey, he’s now back home in Jacksonville Beach, where his mission to help others continues.
“I understand that you have to make a lot of noise to be heard,” said Griffith.
From coast to coast, reporters, spectators and strangers came out to see him do something that not many can accomplish.
“I promise you every single time that I tell someone I’m running across the country, they are in a bit of awe,” said Griffith.
Griffith ran about 30 miles each day, at times running through snow or intense heat.
At 5:55 @ActionNewsJax hear Christian Griffith’s inspiring story! He ran 3,140 miles cross country to raise money for a noble cause. What he saw along the way and how you can still help...tune in to CBS47. pic.twitter.com/lPOjxgvM7q
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) August 31, 2018
His journey started in March in New York and ended on Aug. 22 in San Francisco.
At times he felt like quitting, but he tells Action News Jax the mission he was running for gave him the will to keep going.
It’s also personal for him.
“As a victim of childhood sexual abuse myself, it was important to me to actually do something to make change,” said Griffith.
This run, dubbed “Run 2 Heal,” helped raise more than $300,000 for “Help For Children,” an organization that works to prevent and treat child abuse.
Griffith said it took him years to get to a point where he could talk about the abuse he suffered, and now he wants to be a voice for others.
“I thought I was the weirdest, most unusual person in the world with all kinds of weird crazy dysfunctions, and what I learned was I’m not alone at all,” said Griffith.
During his five-month journey, he also witnessed the best in humanity.
At times people who heard about his cause kept him company as he ran.
“I realized the mission was much bigger than me, and that helped quite a bit,” said Griffith.
When Griffith made it to the finish line, his girlfriend and daughter – who was born while he was away—were there waiting for him.
The end of the journey was made sweeter when he got down on one knee.
“She said yes and we’re excited to get married,” said Griffith.
You can still help Griffith raise money for this cause by donating here.
Cox Media Group
