CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Saturday, July 13, 2013 10:30PM EDT
Last Updated Saturday, July 13, 2013 11:34PM EDT
A Canadian soldier is hanging up her uniform after being denied time off work to raise money for a military charity.
Cpl. Kate MacEachern raised $20,000 for the charity Soldier On last year by walking more than 500 kilometres in her Long Way Home trek, but when she asked for time off to walk even farther this year, her bosses said no.
?When I asked permission this year, I had a feeling that I wasn?t actually going to get it. I already knew that if it came back as a no, I was ending my career,? MacEachern told CTV?s Omar Sachedina in a phone interview.
Last year, MacEachern walked from CFB Gagetown in New Brunswick, where she is posted, to her hometown of Antigonish, N.S. She received accolades from her superiors and even Defence Minister Peter MacKay.
?I have not ever felt so strongly or been so devoted to something in my entire life,? an emotional MacEachern said.
According to CFB Gagetown internal memos, MacEachern?s superiors said there would be no one to replace her during the 45 days she requested off to complete this year?s 1,600 kilometre walk from Gagetown to Ottawa. This time, the walk will benefit Military Minds, an organization that helps soldiers suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
Officially, MacEachern is only allotted 25 vacation days annually.
MacKay says he only learned about MacEachern?s situation Friday and has asked for more details.
NDP defence critic Jack Harris says the time to act is now and that a compromise should be reached for a woman who has received ?very shabby treatment.?
MacEachern, a single mother of a nine-year-old boy, will start marching from CFB Gagetown on Sept. 3.
?At the end of the day you need to stand up for what you believe in no matter what the cost,? MacEachern said.
MacEachern has been in the military for seven years, and will be ending her career next month.
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