Stair Climbers Ascend CN Tower to Protect Wildlife

TORONTO, Ontario, Canada, April 25, 2003 (ENS) - Beginning at dawn tomorrow, some four thousand people from as far away as Mexico will charge up the world's longest metal staircase inside the CN Tower to raise funds for World Wildlife Fund Canada. This 13th annual CN Tower climb is a rare opportunity to mount the 1,776 stairs of the world's tallest building.

Teams of four, including former Canadian Olympians, climbed the CN Tower in a separate team event on Thursday.

The goal is to raise C$450,000 to help protect the planet's natural environment and build a future in which humans can live in harmony with nature. Firefighters from Kawartha, Ontario are taking up the challenge. They will be climbing in their firefighting gear to raise C$1,000 during the Saturday public climb.

The event is sponsored by Canada Life and the CN Tower. "Canada Life is proud to sponsor this celebration of healthy lifestyles, protecting the environment and helping people achieve more in our communities, in one of the most anticipated events of the year," said Bill Acton, president and chief operating officer for Canada Life.

Built in 1973, the CN Tower remains the world's tallest building and tallest free standing structure. (Photo credit unknown)

It takes about 30 minutes for a person of average fitness to reach the top of the stairway, a vertical height of 342 meters (1,122 feet). On October 29, 1989, Brendan Keenoy set the world record for the fastest CN Tower climb by a man with the time of seven minutes and 52 seconds.

"This is a healthy way to promote a healthy planet and celebrate Earth Week," said WWF-Canada Foundation president Chris Hyde.

Climbing fees and pledges over the past 12 years have helped WWF-Canada to save whales, bears, wolves and caribou through 13 habitat protection projects, and underwrite 61 Endangered Species Recovery Fund projects across the country.

The funds have helped to protect 2.4 million hectares in the Mackenzie Valley, Northwest Territories, and get amendments made to the out of date Pest Control Products Act.

"The CN Tower is proud to continue to support this 13th annual event with such a worthwhile international cause," said Bud Purves, president and general manager of the CN Tower. "We encourage everyone to take on the challenge of climbing to the top of Canada's wonder of the world and at the same time contribute to preserving the world's natural wonders."

The public climb begins in the SkyWalk Atrium between Union Station and the SkyWalk. The fee on the event day is $30, but those who raise $75 in pledges, climb for free.

The CN Tower by night (Photo credit unknown)

WWF-Canada is a registered charitable organization, supported by 60,000 Canadians from coast to coast. Headquartered in Toronto, WWF-Canada has offices in Montreal, and Yellowknife, and on all three coasts - Halifax in the East, Prince Rupert in the West, and Iqaluit in the North.

WWF-Canada also leads global conservation efforts in Cuba and recently concluded its decade long Endangered Spaces Campaign which protected over 1,000 new areas across the country.

The Canada Life Assurance Company, Canada's first domestic life insurance company, was founded in 1847. Headquartered in Toronto, the company operates in Canada, the United States, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Brazil, Hong Kong, and the Caribbean.

Defining the Toronto skyline, the CN Tower is Canada's most recognizable building. At a height of 113 stories, 553.33 metres (1,815 feet, 5 inches), it is the world's tallest building, a telecommunications hub, and the center of tourism in Toronto. Each year, two million people visit the landmark.