ItB次元官网网址檚 a bird, itB次元官网网址檚 a plane, itB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址� well, actually itB次元官网网址檚 over 40 heroes rappelling down the CIBC building on View Street for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
For the first time, the national Rope for Hope event took place in Victoria May 23 and 24, which let volunteers and prolific community members rappel down 15 storeys to raise money for sick kids.
There were superheroes in full costume and others wearing neon shirts.
B次元官网网址淚t was amazing,B次元官网网址� said Melissa Gillespie, adding that she wasnB次元官网网址檛 scared at all. B次元官网网址淚 went to StellyB次元官网网址檚, so I grew up rock climbing.B次元官网网址�
Her friend, Hayley Van Nerum, was a little more hesitant.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been bungee jumping before, but it was nothing like this,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚t was scary and I was shaking; the hardest part was going over the edge.B次元官网网址�
| Hayley Van Nerum (left) and Melissa Gillespie repelled down the CIBC building on View Street to raise money for The Make-A-Wish Foundation's "Rope for Hope" event. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS |
Van Nerum said she could get over the edge because Gillespie was beside her. As she was standing on the ground, still shaking, she laughed and said she kind of wanted to do it again.
In order to climb down the building, volunteers needed to raise a minimum of $1,500, but no additional experience is required. Make-A-Wish Foundation Vancouver Island director Simone Conner said the goal was to raise $50,000, but by midday Thursday they were already well over $64,000.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a huge success; the community in Victoria is very caring and giving and they want to be engaged,B次元官网网址� she said, sporting a Batgirl costume. B次元官网网址淢ake-A-Wish grants almost 25 per cent of all wishes in B.C. and the Yukon to Vancouver Island children, so we are very active here.B次元官网网址�
Batman made an appearance today as one of the heroes repelling down the CIBC building for
B次元官网网址� Victoria B次元官网网址 (@VictoriaB次元官网网址)
Conner didnB次元官网网址檛 always work for Make-A-Wish; she started volunteering after her son, then 12, received a wish after he was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to form on nerve tissue. He got to meet Washington CapitalsB次元官网网址� captain, Alex Ovechkin.
B次元官网网址淚t was life changing,B次元官网网址� Conner said. B次元官网网址淚t came at a time when he lost hope and strength. He was angry that he was sick and tired. It restored hope, strength and joy.B次元官网网址�
After the meeting with Ovechkin, she turned to a CapitalsB次元官网网址� coach and promised to help grant as many wishes as she could, not knowing sheB次元官网网址檇 end up getting a job. Her son is still an active hockey fan, and ConnerB次元官网网址檚 position at the Foundation has given her a light, too.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 turned my pain into purpose,B次元官网网址� she said.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation has other events coming up on the Island, including a Film Fest in Nanaimo on June 9 and a Fashion for a Wish event at VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 MoxieB次元官网网址檚 Restaurant on June 14.
To learn more or to make a donation, you can go to .
