OTTAWA, June 5 /CNW Telbec/ – The 23rd annual World Partnership Walk brought together tens of thousands of Canadians in nine cities across the country to fight poverty in the developing world. The largest event of its kind in Canada, the Walk this year is estimated to have raised over $5 million and to have brought out more than 70,000 participants, donors and sponsors.
Some 38,000 Canadians came out on Walk Day. Among them were some 228 corporate and community teams. Online contributions also set a new record at $1.25 million.
Notable personalities attending this year’s Walk included Lt. Gov. James K. Bartleman of Ontario; Premier Dalton McGuinty of Ontario, Premier Gordon Campbell of British Columbia, Mayor Sam Sullivan of Vancouver, Prof. Stephen J. Toope, president and vice-chancellor of the University of British Columbia, along with numerous federal and provincial ministers and city councilors.
An initiative of Aga Khan Foundation Canada (AKFC), a registered Canadian charity, the Walk is organized every year by hundreds of dedicated volunteers in Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Kitchener, London, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria.
The Walk’s continuing success is a tangible sign of the commitment of individual Canadians to the cause of global poverty alleviation. All of the funds raised by participants (100%) go directly to programs in health, education, rural development, as well as support for community-based organizations in Asia and Africa. Not a cent is spent on administration.
Support for the Walk also helps AKFC leverage additional contributions from major donors like the Canadian International Development Agency. By participating in the Walk, Canadians are taking strides to fight global poverty, said Mr. Khalil Shariff, CEO of AKFC. “Canadians have a tradition of caring about the world, which finds expression in the World Partnership Walk,” Mr. Shariff said. “The programs made possible by this event and its tens of thousands of supporters, both individual and corporate, are helping to enhance the lives and livelihoods of families in some of the poorest and most isolated regions of the world.”
This year, some 900 corporate sponsors were involved. A significant contribution was made to the Walk by our National Media Partners, The Globe and Mail and Asian Television Network; our Premium sponsor, the Nisku Inn and Conference Centre and our Premier sponsor, IPS Canada. Our Platinum sponsors were Scotiabank and KFC-the Pirani Group of Companies. Our Gold sponsors were Dynamic Furniture, Dynasty Furniture, KPMG, Pharmassist, IDA, RBC Foundation, Samco Printer, Subway, Country Hills Toyota, Mayfield Toyota, T&T Honda, Midtown Honda, High River Honda, and High River Toyota.
Next year, the Walk will take place on Sunday, May 25th (Sunday, June 1st in Ottawa).
For further information: Jennifer Morrow, Manager, Communications, 1-800-267-2532, ext 107, jennifer@akfc.ca
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