40 Hours of 40K Canada Charity Supports Men’s Mental Health
Our Mission
We bring people together through the hobby to build stronger communities that support men’s mental health.
The 40 Hours of 40K Origin Story
40 Hours of 40K began in the United Kingdom, founded by Warhammer Hero Andrew Weller, a member of the Royal Air Force. Built around the Campaign Against Living Miserably—CALM—the original event used the Warhammer 40,000 community to raise awareness and support for men’s mental health and suicide prevention in the UK.
After supporting the UK event as an artist since 2020, JP Lacasse traveled to Lincoln, UK, in September 2022 to meet the team and share a vision for bringing the event to Canada. What began as an inspired expansion quickly grew into something uniquely Canadian, connecting hobbyists, artists, veterans, first responders, and supporters through a shared love of the hobby and a shared commitment to helping others.
In 2026, the 40 Hours of 40K Canada charity became a registered charity in Canada to support the event’s continued growth and advance its mission across the country. While proudly rooted in the inspiration of the original UK event, the Canadian organization now carries that spirit forward with a focus on men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and support for veterans and first responders.
The Founder’s Origin Story: My Why
My journey with Warhammer began when I was about fifteen years old. Like many teenagers, I was drawn to the incredible models, artwork, stories, and sense of imagination that surrounded the hobby. I spent countless hours building figurines, painting miniatures, and dreaming about the battles they would fight across the tabletop.
When I joined the Canadian Armed Forces, life took a different direction. As my military career progressed, particularly after joining the high-operational-tempo environment supporting special operations in 2005, the hobby gradually disappeared from my life. Deployments, training, family responsibilities, and service demands left little room for painting miniature figurines. For nearly fifteen years, Warhammer became little more than a fond memory from my youth.
In 2019, after twenty-three years of military service and multiple operational deployments, I found myself medically released from the Armed Forces. Like many veterans, I struggled with the loss of identity, purpose, and community that often accompanies the transition to civilian life. During therapy, I was encouraged to find an activity that could help regulate stress, provide structure, and reconnect me with a sense of meaning. On a whim, I picked up a paintbrush again.
What started as a therapeutic exercise quickly became something much more. Through the hobby, I discovered a community unlike any other—one built on creativity, mentorship, friendship, and mutual support. During those early days, Bobby Clarke of Red Eagle Studio took a chance on a newcomer trying to find his footing. What began as guidance and encouragement soon grew into a genuine friendship. Bobby’s support helped me develop as an artist, but more importantly, it reminded me that meaningful connections can be found in unexpected places.
As I became more involved in the hobby community, I began to see a pattern. Many of the people around me weren’t just painting miniatures or rolling dice. They were finding friendship after isolation, purpose after hardship, and belonging during difficult chapters of their lives. The hobby was creating something far more valuable than painted armies—it was creating community.
That realization eventually led me to the original 40 Hours of 40K event in the United Kingdom. Inspired by what they had built and the impact they were having through mental health advocacy, I became involved as an artist and supporter. In 2022, I traveled to Lincoln, England, to meet the team and explore the possibility of bringing that same spirit to Canada.
What began as a single fundraising event has since grown into 40 Hours of 40K Canada, a registered Canadian charity dedicated to supporting men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and programs that benefit veterans and first responders. While our mission continues to evolve, the heart of it remains unchanged.
This organization exists because a community gave me a place to belong when I needed it most. Today, our goal is to create that same opportunity for others.
Every painted model, every donated dollar, every volunteer hour, and every participant helps us build something larger than a gaming event. Together, we are proving that connection, purpose, and community can change lives.
J.P. Lacasse
Canadian Armed Forces veteran, hobby artist, entrepreneur, and 40 Hours of 40K Imperium advocate.
What Is 40 Hours of 40K?
For those unfamiliar with Warhammer 40,000, it is one of the world’s most popular tabletop strategy games and part of a creative hobby centered on collecting, building, painting, and playing with detailed miniature models. Players create futuristic armies, then use them to battle across immersive tabletop battlefields.
Each year, volunteer artists from across Canada, the United States, and Europe donate their time and talent by painting a complete Warhammer 40,000 army. Artists are assigned specific units or model sets based on their availability and have several months to complete their portion of the project before sending the finished models to Edmonton, where the army is assembled and displayed for the event.
The completed army becomes the centerpiece of our fundraising efforts. Supporters can purchase one raffle ticket for every $10 contributed to the licensed raffle, giving them a chance to win a professionally painted army along with a variety of prizes generously donated by our sponsors and community partners.
The event itself is a 40-hour gaming marathon where participants gather to play Warhammer 40,000 and other tabletop games while raising funds and awareness for men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and support programs for veterans and first responders. Throughout the event, players, hobbyists, families, and supporters come together to celebrate community, creativity, and a shared passion for the hobby.
Red Claw Gaming also introduced a unique “Rent-a-Unit” fundraising initiative, allowing players to temporarily deploy powerful units onto the battlefield in exchange for a donation. One of the most popular options was a towering Reaver Titan—a massive centerpiece model. These creative fundraising activities helped transform the gaming experience into an engaging and meaningful way to support men’s mental health, suicide prevention, and programs benefiting veterans and first responders.
In recognition of the event’s origins, 40 Hours of 40K Canada has often coordinated with the original UK event, with both communities supporting one another and occasionally sharing live coverage throughout the weekend. What began as a grassroots hobby fundraiser has grown into an international community united by a common goal: using the power of connection and shared interests to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for the 40 Hours of 40K Canada charity.
United by a shared commitment to supporting mental health initiatives for veterans, first responders, and the broader community, the Board works to ensure the organization remains focused on its mission, accountable to its supporters, and positioned for long-term success.
The Board is responsible for organizational governance, financial stewardship, policy development, and strategic planning. Directors volunteer their time and expertise to help guide fundraising initiatives, community partnerships, event development, and future growth opportunities while ensuring resources are used responsibly and effectively.
Together, the Board is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive community where people can connect through the hobby, gaming, creativity, and shared experiences. Through responsible leadership and a passion for service, they help advance the organization’s mission of promoting mental wellness, building community, and reminding those who may be struggling that they do not have to face their challenges alone.
JP’s Bio
JP Lacasse is a Canadian Armed Forces veteran, entrepreneur, and community advocate with more than two decades of military service. Following his transition from the military, he dedicated his efforts to supporting fellow veterans, first responders, and individuals facing mental health challenges. His leadership experience, combined with a lifelong commitment to service, helps guide the organization’s mission and long-term vision.
In addition to serving as a Director, JP is the founder of Nomad Tactical Corporation and Garviel Studio, where he combines his passions for instruction, mentorship, creativity, and community building. Through these ventures, he has developed strong relationships across Canada and internationally, bringing together people from diverse backgrounds through shared interests and common goals.
As Chair of the Board, JP is focused on creating meaningful opportunities for connection, purpose, and support. Inspired by his own experiences and the challenges faced by many veterans and first responders, he is committed to helping build a community where no one feels they have to face life’s struggles alone.
J.P. Lacasse
Canadian Armed Forces veteran, hobby artist, entrepreneur, and 40 Hours of 40K Imperium advocate.
Lee’s Bio
Lee Morry serves as Treasurer and a member of the Board of Directors for 40 Hours of 40K, bringing more than 15 years of service in the Canadian Armed Forces and a deep commitment to supporting the mental health and well-being of veterans, first responders, and their families. His military career provided him with firsthand experience in leadership, resilience, and the challenges faced by those who serve.
Following a diagnosis of PTSD in 2022, Lee has worked closely with medical professionals and support networks while navigating his own recovery journey. These experiences strengthened his belief in the importance of community, connection, and peer support as essential elements of healing and personal growth.
As Treasurer, Lee helps oversee the organization’s financial stewardship while supporting its mission to connect with and uplift those facing adversity. He is passionate about creating opportunities for people to share their experiences, celebrate their successes, and support one another through difficult times, reinforcing the belief that no one fights alone and that we are stronger together.
Lee Morry
Canadian Armed Forces veteran, Treasurer, and 40 Hours of 40K Imperium advocate.
Spencer’s Bio
Spencer Bosworth serves as Secretary and a member of the Board of Directors for 40 Hours of 40K, bringing a passion for community building, education, and the Warhammer hobby. As an elementary teacher, he is committed to helping young people develop confidence, resilience, and meaningful connections. His professional experience reinforced his belief that strong communities play a vital role in supporting mental health and personal well-being.
Living with Type 1 diabetes since childhood, Spencer has spent his life managing the daily demands of a chronic medical condition. The constant need for preparation, discipline, and self-awareness has shaped his understanding of resilience and the importance of maintaining both physical and mental health. These experiences have given him a deep appreciation for the value of supportive environments and the positive impact they can have during life’s challenges.
After attending his first 40 Hours of 40K event in 2022, Spencer was inspired by the organization’s unique ability to bring people together through gaming while supporting important mental health initiatives. As Secretary, he helps support the organization’s governance and ongoing operations while working to expand its reach and impact, ensuring more people can find connection, support, and a sense of belonging through the power of community.
Spencer Bosworth
Elementary Teacher, Secretary, and 40 Hours of 40K Imperium advocate.
