REACHING THE SUMMIT WAS ONLY THE START
Initial climb inspires thousands of dollars in fundraising
When Barrhaven residents Barry Finlay and his son Chris accomplished their goal of reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in 2009, it was a moment of tremendous personal satisfaction.
They found out a few days later that helping others can provide a similar feeling.
They had the opportunity to present a Canadian flag to the students at a primary school in Mwanza, Tanzania. It wasn’t just any flag. It bore the names of more than 200 supporters from back home who had contributed $15,000 toward the funding of a classroom. The experience of the climb and meeting the children inspired the father and son duo to write a book, Kilimanjaro and Beyond: A Life-Changing Journey.
Before leaving for Kilimanjaro, the Finlays had partnered with the child-focused organization, Plan Canada. Plan is one of the world’s oldest and largest international development agencies, working in partnership with millions of people around the world to end global poverty.
When the two presented the flag and stood in front of the classroom looking at the faces of children who just need an opportunity to accomplish their own goals, Barry decided he could do more. When they returned home, he started organizing fundraising events to continue to raise money for Plan Canada to carry out a number of projects. He established the Keep On Climbing brand under which he and his wife, Evelyn, have organized an array of events, including cocktail parties, house concerts, golf tournaments and variety shows, all with the purpose of offering attendees a little fun while supporting their fundraising efforts.
Since the original fundraising activity before the climb, and with the welcome assistance of a lot of volunteers, they have held 15 events. Thanks to the matching of funds by the Canadian government for some of the projects, the events have raised over $135,000.
While the Finlays direct most of their fundraising to help out in Africa, they also raise money for local causes.
After five annual golf tournaments for Tanzania, two years ago they renamed the event to the Keep On Climbing Golf Tournament for Wounded Warriors Canada to support that organization’s investment in service dog programs to assist soldiers with PTSD.
A number of projects have been concluded in Africa with the help of the fundraising, including the new classroom, where the Canadian flag now hangs proudly alongside Tanzania’s, and a well that is serving a community of 13,500 near Mwanza. They have also helped to fund a project to provide young women in Tanzania with the opportunity to start small businesses. Barry and Evelyn travelled back to Africa in 2011 to see the results of their efforts and the appreciation expressed by the beneficiaries of the projects was enough to encourage them to continue. That brings us to the latest event.
Greenfields Pub & Eatery at 900 Greenbank in Barrhaven will be the site of the fifth annual Education for Africa Variety Show. The funds raised will go toward a muchneeded sanitation project throughout rural Tanzania.
The show will take place Sunday, Oct. 18, beginning at 1:30 p.m., and will feature another Finlay family member, son and Nashville singer/songwriter and recording artist, Trevor Finlay. Also on the bill will be Ottawa magician Chris Pilsworth, local musical favourites Paul Imeson and Susan Johnson, and up and coming actor/musician Cayne Kitagawa. CBC’s Teri Loretto will be the host. Tickets are only $25.
More information and tickets are available online at www.keeponclimbing.com or from Greenfields.