40 Hours of 40K Canada charity supports men’s mental health
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.
J.P. Lacasse
Canadian Armed Forces veteran, hobby artist, entrepreneur, and 40 Hours of 40K Imperium advocate.
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.
J.P. Lacasse
Canadian Armed Forces veteran, hobby artist, entrepreneur, and 40 Hours of 40K Imperium advocate.
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.
Our Board of Directors
The Board of Directors provides leadership, oversight, and strategic direction for 40 Hours of 40K.
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.
Honor Our Imperium
Remember those who have fallen but stand for those next to you and everyone gets stronger.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
