Sexton ready to rappel for Easter Seals
Jillian Sexton is looking to take a daring step in her fundraising.
Or rather, several daring steps – down the side of the tallest building in Halifax. And this time, she’s not doing it alone.
Sexton, who is chief operating officer at Hector Building Supplies in Stellarton and co-owner of the Timbermart store in Charlottetown, will be raising funds and rappelling down 1801 Hollis St. – the tallest office building in Halifax – to support disabled people in Nova Scotia.
Sexton will be rappelling with her mother, who was inspired by Sexton’s first rappelling in 2014. John Irwin, vice president of retail services for Timbermart, will also join her in her descent down the side of the building.
The event is a fundraiser for Easter Seals, a non-profit that provides assistance for disabled people across Nova Scotia, with the goal in mind of promoting mobility, independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.
“Those are things I take for granted every single day – I’m an avid runner and independent, so I definitely have a soft spot in my head for a charity that assists people in those areas,” said Sexton.
The first time she rappelled, Sexton did so with Scott Jones. She and Jones attended school at Northumberland Regional High School. Jones was stabbed in downtown New Glasgow in 2013 – an attack that saw him needing a wheelchair afterwards.
Both were part of the Don’t Be Afraid Facebook group – an initiative by Jones to spread a positive message in the community after he was attacked.
“I went to high school with him, so that’s originally how I got involved with the charity the first time,” said Sexton.
“He’s in Ontario now, but the timing worked on my schedule that I could participate this year, and it was a cool experience the first time I did it. It’s a great way to bring awareness to a great charity,” she said.
Sexton was the top fundraiser in Nova Scotia the last time she rappelled – something she says is creating “a lot of pressure to do well again,” this year.
“I was really happy to bring some good publicity to the charity,” she said.
Sexton said that if anyone has been considering donating money at some point, now would be the time, since every donation made is essentially worth two.
Every donation made to Easter Seals will be matched by a donation of equal size – up to $4,000 – from the charitable arm of Timbermart, Timberkids.
“It’s a nice way to get a double bang for your buck,” she said.
Donations can be made at the Timbermart locations in Pictou or Stellarton – or at the Timbermart in Charlottetown. Donations can also be made online at https://easterseals.akaraisin.com/dropzonehalifax2017/jilliansexton.