Reaching the highest peaks in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation

This past August, 66 Royal LePage professionals from across the country embarked on a six-day trek through the Purcell Mountains in British Columbia. This opportunity requires trekkers to hike long days and give up many of the comforts of home. It’s a challenge they wholeheartedly embrace in order to raise funds for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, Canada’s largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to ending family violence. 

Despite the barriers to fundraising during the pandemic, participants demonstrated a true commitment to the cause, and found creative ways to raise over $775,000 in record time. All donations were directed to women’s shelters and national programs that help youth learn how to build healthy relationships. 

Challenge for Shelter treks have now raised over $3 million for the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation

The Purcell Mountains Challenge came at a critical time. Women’s shelters across the country have incurred significant costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for their services has skyrocketed. While most of our lives are slowly returning to normal, Royal LePage Shelter Foundation supporters know there isn’t a vaccine for domestic violence. Shelters need our support now more than ever so they can continue their life-saving and life-changing work.

Although trekkers expected to be challenged, this trek – their first on Canadian soil – was undoubtedly the most physically demanding in Shelter Foundation history.

Trekkers carried 30lb packs across gruelling terrain, much of which has been untouched for decades. There were dense forests to bushwhack, steep climbs and harrowing descents. Oftentimes, trekkers faced harsh weather conditions, including windy alpine passes, scorching daytime heat, freezing nightime temperatures, and smoke from distant forest fires that made breathing more laboured. Their hard work was rewarded though, with some of the most majestic scenery and vistas trekkers have ever witnessed! 

Although this year’s trek was taxing, the challenge pales in comparison to the experience of being trapped in an abusive relationship or fleeing to a shelter with just the clothes on your back. Trekkers were reminded why they were hiking by reading aloud a story each day of a woman who took brave steps away from violence and towards safety. For many, these stories kept them moving forward each day in honour of the women and families they are so dedicated to helping.
To make a donation, please visit rlp.ca/donate. Royal LePage covers the administrative costs of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, so 100% of your generosity goes directly to the cause.

_{^* Our return to responsible gathering was months in the making. Because the safety of our trekkers and their communities is paramount, extensive safety measures were in place including rapid testing upon arrival and small group hiking bubbles.}