For the 20th year, thousands climb the CN Tower in support of WWF-Canada

“I am truly humbled by the overwhelming number of supporters who came out to climb and fundraise for WWF-Canada,” said Gerald Butts, President and CEO of WWF-Canada. “Climate change continues to be a major concern for Canadians and today, thousands took steps to be part of the solution.”

The Public Climb was a huge success with more than 4,500 people climbing the Tower. The line-up to register began at 4:30 a.m. and did not end until registration closed at 10 a.m. People of all ages climbed to show their support for WWF-Canada and for our planet.

The Team Climb on Thursday April 15 was also a big success. More than 1,800 individuals entered in teams of four to seven, including top Canadian athletes and Olympians from Clean Air Champions. Bullfrog Power won the prize for top fundraising team by raising more than $11,400 and the fastest individual team climber reached the top in just under 11 minutes.

Those who met fundraising targets also won great prizes, including a weekend stay at the Fairmont Royal York along with a Canon digital camera for the top individual fundraiser. A $500 gift certificate to Duke’s Cycle was awarded to the top fundraising team. New this year, individuals who raised over $150 were entered into a draw to win a trip for two to Churchill, Manitoba and see first-hand the impacts of climate change on polar bears and Arctic communities.

These past 20 years have brought together more than 74,000 climbers and supporters who have provided the financial support to help WWF-Canada deliver big conservation results for Canada and the world. These include: protecting land across Canada equivalent to 50 Algonquin Parks; ensuring sustainable forestry practices of Canada’s commercial forests; the world’s largest freshwater protected area (Lake Superior NMCA); and most recently, mobilizing more than half of all Canadians in Earth Hour, a global lights out event to show support for action on climate change.

“The Canada Life CN Tower Stair Climb for WWF-Canada is one of the most unique fundraising events in the world and the support demonstrated by thousands of participants is incredible,” said Jack Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of the CN Tower. “We are proud to have supported this event for 20 years. From the CN Tower you can enjoy spectacular views overlooking our great city and we want to help keep that sky clean and blue for years to come. When you climb or make a pledge, you help WWF-Canada do that, as well as other important conservation achievements to benefit us all.”

As longtime sponsor of the event, Canada Life applauds the record numbers of Canadians supporting WWF-Canada through the Canada Life CN Tower Climb. Participants in this year’s event included a strong contingent from the corporation’s London and Toronto offices.

“100 staff and their guests took part in the Climb, said Jan Belanger, Assistant Vice-President, Community Affairs for Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. “In raising more than $20,000 they demonstrated both their commitment to help build stronger communities together and their concern for the environment. We’re pleased to support their fundraising efforts – and the event itself – through our national corporate citizenship program.”

About WWF-Canada
WWF-Canada (World Wildlife Fund Canada) is a member of WWF, one of the world’s largest independent conservation organizations, active in more than 100 countries. WWF is creating solutions to the most serious conservation challenges facing our planet, helping people and nature to thrive. In Canada, we create solutions to conservation issues important to Canadians and the world. WWF-Canada works collaboratively with governments, businesses and the public to help fight climate change, the single biggest environmental threat to our planet; conserve our oceans and freshwater resources; and educate and mobilize people to build a conservation culture. WWF-Canada’s main office is in Toronto, with regional offices located in Vancouver, Prince Rupert, St. Albert, Ottawa, Halifax and St. John’s. For more information, visit wwf.ca.

About Canada Life:
Canada Life provides insurance and wealth management products and services from coast to coast in Canada, as well as internationally. Through the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life we contribute to non-profit, charitable and community organizations across the country.

As an Imagine Caring Company, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life donate a minimum of one per cent of average pre-tax profits to non-profit, charitable and community organizations each year.

About CN Tower:
National Icon…Architectural triumph and Engineering Wonder…Award-winning dining and entertainment destination. Spectacular views from three observation levels include world-famous Glass Floor and a new perspective on the view with world’s highest glass-fronted elevator featuring glass floor panels. Fine and casual dining, arcade, ride, shopping. Toronto’s must see.

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For further information:

Ashley Brasfield, Communications Officer, WWF-Canada, [email protected]g; cell: 416-999-8966

Irene Knight, Manager of Public Relations, CN Tower, Tel: (416) 601-4729, [email protected]

Marlene Klassen, Assistant Vice-President, Communication Services, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life, Tel: (204) 946-7705, [email protected]