The third annual Rossland Slopes for Hope is a one-day family friendly ski-a-thon. Participants will attempt to ski or board 29,029 feet — the vertical distance of Mount Everest — this Sunday.
For the first time, cross-country skiers can also venture out on the trails at Black Jack Ski Club to fundraise in a 10 kilometre cross country circuit. Participants can sign up as individuals or in teams at either Red Mountain Resort or Black Jack Ski Club.
The CCS aims to raise $20,000 in the 2015 Slopes for Hope event. Last year the goal was $5,000 and the overwhelming response resulted in $10,898.01 raised for the charity.
Allison McCarthy, the CCS annual giving coordinator explains that these funds are used for prevention initiatives, support programs and cancer research.
“All funds raised are donated to CCS which will go towards fighting cancer and the amazing support programs we offer to communities,” said McCarthy.
Participants are asked to fundraise prior to the event and thanks to Red Mountain Resort and Black Jack Ski Club, all participants who raise at least $100 per adult and $50 per youth will receive a half-price lift ticket for Red Mountain Resort and a free pass at Black Jack. They will also be eligible to win some prizes.
Registration on Sunday begins at 8 a.m. with the pursuit to reach the vertical distance of Mount Everest from 9 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. At this time, a barbeque for participants will take place followed by the award ceremony at 3 p.m..
This year, for the first time, the team or individual with the highest vertical feet and most funds raised will be awarded the golden boot trophy. This pair of homemade trophies — a child’s ski boot painted gold and mounted on to a wooden plaque — will be passed down over the years to the winners. There will be one trophy awarded to competitors from Black Jack and one trophy for those taking part at Red Mountain Resort.
Cheryl Russell, a local woman with hair down to her waist will be having her hair cut off on Sunday as part of the Slopes for Hope event where hair can be donated to make wigs.
The Trail CCS branch has a wig room where wigs are provided for people who are undergoing treatment and suffering from cancer. They collect hair donations and send them to Pantene Beautiful Lengths program.
“Transform your hair into a thing of beauty and bring strength to a woman with cancer. A real-hair wig has the power to make her feel like herself again,” affirms the program’s website.
To donate to the wig program, the hair must contain no dyes, bleaches or chemicals. Hair must be five per cent or less grey and a minimum length of eight inches is required to make the wigs.
Pam Martin, a Rossland hairdresser has donated her time and expertise to assist in raising funds for the CCS. To donate, pick up a registration form from the CCS in Trail at 908 Rossland Ave. or email Cheryl at cherylinbc@yahoo.com for a registration form for this inaugural “take the hair off” event which takes place from 1:30 until 2:30 p.m. on Sunday during the Slopes for Hope event.
For more information or to register go to slopesforhope.ca or contact Allison McCarthy, annual giving coordinator with the Canadian Cancer Society at 250-364-0403 or email amccarthy@bc.cancer.ca.