On Sunday, May 5, 2019, five members of the Innisfail Fire Department climbed one of western Canada’s tallest buildings, raising funds to help support those fighting cancer.
The Firefighter Stairclimb Challenge, in which participants wear full duty gear, took place in Calgary’s Bow Tower. The climb is over 750 vertical feet and contains over 1,200 stairs.
The event raises funds for Wellspring Calgary, a network of community-based support centres offering programs and services that meet the needs of people living with cancer and those who care for them. Proceeds from this event ensure that Wellspring Calgary can provide supportive care to firefighters and other citizens, and a portion of the proceeds from this year’s event will be gifted to the Firefighters Assistance Charitable Society (FACS).
The total raised from the event (to date) is $384,000, with $4,720 in donations coming from Innisfail.
Members of the Innisfail Fire Department participating in the event were: Gary Leith, Jason Power, Cara Cochrane, Mark Reynolds and Eric Peppinck. (see photo below). Mark Reynolds himself is a cancer survivor.
If you are interested in offering support, donations are still being accepted: click here to donate.