On June 8th 2018, while most people were sitting outside enjoying the weather Nadine Fladd, one of our Writing and Multimodal Communication Specialists, was 326 ft above ground rappelling down Toronto’s city hall.
Photo by the Odyssey Production team
Although this isn’t your typical Friday, Nadine did so for a good cause. With the help of her family and friends, she was able to raise $1530.00 for Children’s Make-a-Wish® foundation. Alongside Nadine was her friend Stephanie Cryer, who also raised money for a combined total of $3682.00. Together, they formed a team named “Belay on, No Regrets”. Make-a-Wish® foundation is a charity that grants wishes for children with life threatening illnesses. This Rope for Hope fundraiser gives individuals a chance to raise money and rappel down a well known landmark. Money raised during the Rope for Hope event will impact many lives of children with life threatening medical illnesses whose wish can be granted. Granting a wish not only brings these children joy, but it also gives them strength and hope for healthier days ahead.
Photo by Jessica Laforet
For Nadine, her inspiration to join this fundraiser was her friend of 25 years, Stephanie. As an active volunteer with the Make-a-Wish foundation, Stephanie grants wishes made by children with life threatening illnesses. Her passion for this charity and the incredible work they do led her to sign up for the Rope for Hope campaign. To support her friend and her involvement in this charity, Nadine decided to join and help.
One challenge Nadine faced was to raise the required $1500.00 for this event but she ultimately found that “people were generous and very supportive which helped”. Through the donations of those around her including family, friends, coworkers, and colleagues from school; Nadine surpassed her initial goal.
Photo by the Odyssey Production team
Nadine described the first step over the edge of City Hall as the hardest and after seeing the person before her back out, she became a little worried. With no previous experience rappelling down a building, the experience was daunting but in the end rewarding. In the future, Nadine strives to challenge herself further and complete a 10 kilometre race in the Kitchener-Waterloo region. She jokingly says that from now on she will try to stay on solid ground for future initiatives.
Nadine wants to thank her friends, family and the Writing and Communication Centre for supporting her financially or cheering her on in this endeavour.
Thank you for sharing your story Nadine, it is sure to inspire others to contribute to a local charity!
To help grant a wish, donate to the Make-a-Wish foundation today.