RISE TO THE OCCASION

School bus cancellations lower numbers, but iClimbers still raise $26K

Despite school bus cancellations due to the snow, many people still stepped up for mental health services on Wednesday.

It was the 10th year for iClimb, a United Way fundraiser that normally attracts more than 2,000 participants who complete a 1,000-step climb up the steps in the main bowl of the WFCU Centre. Through registrations and sponsorships, people raise thousands of dollars for local mental health programs, while celebrating wellness through physical activity, United Way says. Because many of the participants are students and school buses were cancelled due to the snowfall Wednesday, the United Way had fewer participants than usual. But enough people showed up that at least $26,000 was raised.

“Our numbers have changed a little bit because of the bus situation,” said Karen Brady, marketing and communications manager for United Way Centraide Windsor-Essex.

“We’ve had a few who’ve been real troopers and they’re walking over. St. Joseph’s (high) school was here this morning, so people are making an effort to get here.” In addition to climbers from elementary and high schools, iClimb had individuals and workplace groups participating. “They kind of snake their way up and down the bowl all the way around,” Brady said. “So everyone can do it at their own pace. We had one team from FCA that did it six times, which is a physical feat, really.”

Office staff from the Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board made up one of the workplace groups that managed to show up and make the climb. “It was a blast, I think it’s our third year that we’ve done it, so it’s people from the Catholic education centre from the administrative offices that come down to do it,” WECDSB communications coordinator Stephen Fields said. Fields said the 1,000-step climb “wasn’t too bad,” but referred to his legs feeling “like jello” after. “For us, it was kind of a no-brainer to come out for this. It’s something that’s kind of near and dear to our hearts.”

DAN JANISSE Jennifer Spafford, from Hub International Limited climbs the steps of the WFCU Centre on Wednesday during the United Way Windsor-Essex County’s 10th annual iClimb event. Proceeds from the fundraiser support local mental health and counselling programs.