TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwired) -- 09/26/15 -- Editors Note: A photo for this release will be available on the Canadian Press picture wire via Marketwired.
Today, more than $2.2 million was raised by 3,000 participants, sponsors and volunteers at the third annual Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk presented by Sport Chek to benefit The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). More than 3,000 participants and 40 dogs were registered fundraisers and challenged themselves to walk up to 20 kilometres, starting and ending at Fort York. This camp-themed fundraising event is the only one of its kind in Canada.
Following a heartfelt opening ceremony and flag raising at Fort York corporate teams, hospital staff, families and individual registrants - many accompanied by their dogs - departed from Main Camp at 9 a.m. and walked through the streets of downtown Toronto, stopping at seven pit stops (campsites) along the way to enjoy camp-themed activities. Participants played giant-sized board games, held exotic animals, made crafts, sang, danced, and celebrated their accomplishments as they crossed the finish line - all while raising critical funds for SickKids.
"SickKids receives tremendous support from our community every year as our participants challenge themselves to fundraise and walk as a team," said Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. "In its third year, the Great Camp Adventure Walk generated more excitement and participation than ever before. We are grateful to our generous sponsors, including title sponsor Canaccord Genuity, presenting sponsor Sport Chek and our media partner, Bell Media for sharing in the excitement and bringing this unique event to life."
Canaccord Genuity is the inaugural title sponsor of the Great Camp Adventure Walk and is proud to continue their support of this event which has raised a total of $5.3 million since 2013.
"Thousands of children and their families rely on The Hospital for Sick Children every year," said Dan Daviau, recently appointed President and CEO, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. "We are delighted to partner with this world-class organization and thank all participants for their generous contributions, which directly support the future of children's health-care here at home and around the world."
Presenting sponsor, Sport Chek hosted a campsite outside the hospital on Elm Street, where participants had the opportunity to take a photo with Olympic and Pan Am Games World Trampoline Champion Rosie MacLennan, Olympic Trampoline Champion Jason Burnett and Parapan Am Games Sitting Volleyball medallist Austin Hinchey.
"As a parent and as a member of the board at SickKids Foundation, I know firsthand just how remarkable the staff and volunteers are at this world-class facility," said Michael Medline. "This is a truly inspiring event, and on behalf of the team at Sport Chek, I would like to thank everyone for their fundraising efforts and the support from the greater community that made this incredible event possible."
Additional sponsors for this year's event include PetSmart, itravel2000, United Association Local 46 Toronto, Samsung, Muskoka Bear Wear, Allen's, Budget Avis, Panera Bread and Liberterre. SickKids Foundation thanks all individuals and organizations who contributed to the day's success.
Funds raised through this event support the Possibilities Fund at SickKids, the most flexible source of funding for the hospital with the greatest potential to transform children's health. Support from the community through events like The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk is essential to provide the best in family-centred, compassionate care, to lead in scientific and clinical advancement, and to prepare the next generation of leaders in child health. The fourth annual Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure Walk returns to Toronto on Saturday, September 24, 2016. To re-register or to join for the first time, please visit: WalkForSickKids.ca.
About SickKids Foundation
Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids - one of the world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions. Thanks to the generosity of the community, and as a result of a record-breaking year in fundraising and investment returns, SickKids Foundation generated an unprecedented $136 million for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2015. For more information, please visit sickkidsfoundation.com.
About Canaccord Genuity Group Inc.
Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. (the "Company") is a leading independent, full-service financial services firm, with operations in two principal segments of the securities industry: wealth management and capital markets. Since its establishment in 1950, the Company has been driven by an unwavering commitment to building lasting client relationships. We achieve this by generating value for our individual, institutional and corporate clients through comprehensive investment solutions, brokerage services and investment banking services. The Company has offices in 10 countries worldwide, including Wealth Management offices located in Canada, Australia, the UK, Guernsey, Jersey and the Isle of Man. Canaccord Genuity, the international capital markets division, operates in Canada, the US, the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Australia and Barbados. To us there are no foreign markets.™
Canaccord Genuity Group Inc. is publicly traded under the symbol CF on the TSX and the symbol CF on the London Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit www.canaccordgenuity.com.
About FGL Sports
Part of the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, FGL Sports Ltd. is Canada's largest national retailer of sporting goods. Offering a comprehensive assortment of brand-name and private-brand products and operating more than 400 stores from coast-to-coast. FGL Sports includes the following corporate and franchise banners: Sport Chek, Sports Experts, Atmosphere, Pro Hockey Life, National Sports, Intersport, Nevada Bob's Golf, Hockey Experts, the Tech Shop, and S3. FGL Sports also has websites for several of its corporate and franchise banners which can be accessed through its main website at: www.FGLSports.com.
For more information, please visit: www.walkforsickkids.ca
Engage with us on social media:
Twitter: @walkforsickkids
Facebook: /WalkforSickKids
Instagram: @WalkforSickKids
To view the photo associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://www.marketwire.com/library/20150926-MW_SickKids800.jpg
Contacts:
Madeline Salerno
SickKids Foundation
416-813-6166 x 2626
Cell: 416-452-6629
madeline.salerno@sickkidsfoundation.com
Sandra Chiovitti
SickKids Foundation
416-813-8292
Cell: 416-553-4198
sandra.chiovitti@sickkidsfoundation.com
