The "Courageous Journey" is a fundraiser geared towards helping the Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta, which in turn is "...dedicated to helping children with serious illnesses or disabilities, and thier families, lead happier and healthier lives."
By climbing for 24hrs straight on a 40ft climbing wall, the hope is to raise money by donation to support
the Amsing family and the Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta Charity. We need your help.
It's just been confirmed that Hot shots is going to stay open for 24hrs, supporting the fundraiser and those who are on-site throughout the entirety of it. (Hot shots will be serving coffee and snacks for the 24hrs however hot food will not be available after usual hours of operation.)
_______________________________________________________________________________________
In 2010, two friends and I climbed for 24hrs on a 35ft wall built in the middle of a park in downtown Cranbrook, BC. We did this to help raise funds for the Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta. More specifically, we did this because there are so many families, some of which whom I know personally, that need financial help whilst battling along side their sick children. I didn’t know how to help these families individually, so we went to a great source that these families have access to that helps in making such battles…a little easier.
Last year’s 24hr climb pushed all three of us to our limits physically and mentally. We chose to dig deep, because we knew that what we were doing was for something greater. At the end of the 24hrs there was a sense of success, but at the same time a lack of satisfaction lingered. We were finished, we could walk away but those who were and still are fighting for their lives, they couldn’t, or, still can’t walk away.
Recently my wife broke the news to me that the daughter of our friend’s–a precious little girl, wasn’t doing so good. After fighting the greatest fight of her life for the past year, it seems as though her battle can’t be won. In hearing this news my heart shattered. Little Charlotte Amsing, parents Rob and Alison, sister of Yolanda, has now taken on more brain tumors. This time, the doctors aren’t able to do anything, and now don’t know how long she has.
I was asked a while back if I would ever do the 24hr climb again. Without hesitation I shut down any such suggestion and moved on to the next topic. The idea of going through that again was out of the question. Until two days ago.
When hearing of Charlotte’s recent/updated condition, I knew right away that I needed to help. But how? Like last year, I still can’t bake pies and I don’t really have much that I could sell for money to donate. Naturally, in the back of my head I kept thinking of the 24hr climb. But the mere thought of doing the 24hr climb again sent shivers up my back. Could I really endure such physical pain, climbing for that long again?
Two days ago I visited little Charlotte, Rob, Allison, and Yolanda. And as I walked through their front door, Charlotte came running up, smiling from ear to ear. It was all I could do to hold back the tears. Right there and then I knew I was going to be climbing for 24hrs…but this time, on my own. Staring into those beautiful little eyes, I knew I wanted to climb up and down the 35ft wall as many times as I physically could…for Charlotte…for the Amsings and for the Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta.
The idea of this fundraiser is to not only continue helping the Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta, but now, more so for the Amsings. In the last year they’ve taken every minute to focus on Charlotte and her health. With such determination, financially they’ve been set back…a lot. I believe this fundraiser can make a difference for them, as well as the Ronald McDonald House® Southern Alberta. But I can’t do it alone. I need help. I need your help. We can do this. We CAN make a difference.
“God can move mountains, so why not get out there and help Him push.”
The fundraiser is going to take place on July 15th and 16th. The location will be outside of Hotshots Café, Cranbrook, BC. Further details will follow shortly. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me: gord@machavok.com or 250.421.3764
.png)
