Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer

Robin Edgar Haworth and Koda receive support at the start of their journey

A Penticton artist who plans to walk all the way to Ottawa with his faithful dog got a great send off, Thursday.

A large group gathered at the Peach on the beach to bid farewell to Robin Edgar Haworth and Koda, who are embarking on the Right the Wrong journey.

"I feel great. I'm walking on air," said Haworth, as people came up to hug him and pat Koda. "I so appreciate all of these people, friends and strangers alike, who have come out to give me support as I walk to draw attention to issues."

In January of this year, Haworth decided to do the walk after a period of meditation.

The title for the trek came later, for reasons including no federal inquiry into missing or murdered aboriginal women, the widening gap between rich and the poor, lack of protection for endangered species, an inadequate minimum wage and collapsing infrastructure across the country.

Paul Crawford, curator of the Penticton Art Gallery and a supporter of Haworth, said he was really excited to see him depart.

"I know it's a personal journey for him, and he has a lot of healing to do," he said. "But also, as a country, we have a lot of healing to do. I'm hoping his walk will just get people talking and engaged in dealing with a lot of the issues."

Haworth will initially walk down to Osoyoos and then across to Lethbridge, Alta., and from there to Ottawa, with many stops along the way.

More information on his effort, which began on his 63rd birthday, is available on the Right the Wrong Facebook page.