Jamie McDonald, who has been running across Canada to raise money for Children’s hospitals, was attacked in Banff, Alt., early in the morning on New Year’s Day of 2014 on his way home from a party. He was mugged by three unidentified men in a hotel room.
“I went past a room where the door was open and before I knew it I was being dragged in by three men and was taken into the toilet and all three of them started to repeatedly punch me,” said McDonald. “I scrambled to get out and cover my face. Once I left, my bag was left in the room. Maybe it was taken or maybe I left it, I’m not sure.”
The 27-year-old Briton claims he called the police immediately after the incident, but the CBC reports the police say they were not alerted until 8:45 a.m. the next morning.
His bag was found and returned the next morning, minus some personal money, says McDonald. CBC also reports the bag was found in a hotel stairwell.
“I left and called the police immediately and said my bag had most likely been taken. I sent out a tweet saying this bag is gone and I need it back. I got a huge response and the bag was returned but the money had been taken. Luckily, it was my own money not the charity money.”
His hard drive containing all the footage he has filmed on the trip was still in the bag.
McDonald was given a free night and spa treatment by the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. The Fairmont was not where the confrontation took place, but McDonald cannot remember the hotel he was in when mugged.
Fundraising contributions for the journey both from Canada and Britain have skyrocketed since the event. McDonald has raised over $30,000 in the three days since the attack.
The runner has been held up in Banff since the incident because Highway 1 has been closed due to an avalanche. He was planning to begin running again on Friday, Jan. 3.
