What’s your best time for climbing the cutbanks?
Next month, a new fundraising event will give you a chance to show off your scrambling skills.
The first annual Climb for Cancer will take place at Northern Lights Estate Winery on April 23. The event will raise money for the Kordyban Lodge.
Canadian Cancer Society Daffodil Campaign coordinator Jana Peters says the lodge is a boon for cancer patients in northern BC.
“For people who are undergoing treatment, it’s a safe place, it’s an inviting place and it’s an empowering place because you’re with other people who are also fighting cancer. It’s amazing.”
Peters says Climb for Cancer will provide some much needed support for the Lodge.
“It’s a huge awareness event for the Canadian Cancer Society and for the Daffodil Campaign but it’s also such a wonderful fundraiser to continue supporting the Kordyban Lodge so that they can continue to do their good work.”
Pat Bell with Northern Lights says they picked the cutbanks because of their importance to the city.
“The cutbanks was just such an iconic feature in Prince George that we wanted to somehow make use of it and create value for the community.”
Bell says they’ve set their sights on a lofty goal for the inaugural event.
“We’re hoping to raise over $10,000 for the Kordyban Lodge – that, we think, would be a great start to a long term fundraising effort,” says Bell. “And then in terms of attendees, we’re hoping to see something north of 250 people.”
Bell, who recently completed his first climb, is also issuing a challenge to his fellow cutbanks climbers.
“I’ve been driving by for 3 years and not climbed it and I thought I should do that,” he says. “At the ripe old age of 59, I managed to do it in just over 10 minutes. So I’m going to see if I can improve that time a little bit and I’ll challenge all the other 59 year olds out there in Prince George to see if they can meet or beat that.”
Climb for Cancer will challenge teams and individuals to climb the cutbanks for a good cause. Prince George Fire Rescue will be manning a BBQ station and Wendy’s Prince George will be serving frostys and chili. Pacific Western Brewing is also supporting the event by offering up their parking lot for overflow vehicles and providing a shuttle over to the winery.
You can sign up to be a part of the event on the Northern Lights Winery website.