ClimbUP is returning this Nov. 15-16, celebrating 45 years of United Way Greater 色色啦鈥檚 signature fundraising event.
Every year, thousands of people from all walks of life climb 1,776 steps to the top of the CN Tower in support of UWGT. Funds raised go directly toward supporting communities in the Greater 色色啦 Area, providing food security, housing services, employment assistance and mental health support.
鈥淔or 45 years, ClimbUP has been a tradition rooted in early mornings, big goals and a community that shows up with heart and hustle,鈥 said Heather McDonald, CEO and president of United Way Greater 色色啦.
鈥淔rom coffee-fuelled volunteers and costumed climbers* to the echo of 1,776 stairs, it鈥檚 those moments 鈥 repeated year after year 鈥 that have made ClimbUP part of the story of United Way and of this city,鈥 she said.
For some employees, volunteers and participants, it鈥檚 even become an annual tradition.
Ray Dilling and Dan Mcintyre haul a stove up the stairs of the CN Tower in 1987.
*Please note the wearing of costumes and the hauling of items is now prohibited for the CN Tower climb.
Contributed鈥淥ur family has been a supporter of United Way from as long as I have memories,鈥 said participant Bryan Heal. His dad, Cecil, has been taking part in ClimbUP for more than 20 years. Bryan started doing the climb with his dad about 10 years ago, turning it into a family tradition.
鈥淲hat started as an exciting personal challenge in support of a cause that we all believe in has, over the years, become something much more intimate and personal 鈥 a story about a father and a son, rooted in health, wellness and social connection that also happens to raise awareness and dollars for United Way and its work across communities,鈥 said Bryan.
鈥淭his year, we hope to start a new tradition by adding a third 鈥 my nephew, who has just turned 13 鈥 and make it an inter-generational affair with three of us climbing together,鈥 he said.
For other participants, ClimbUP is a bucket-list accomplishment that serves as inspiration for others.
In 2023, for example, then 99-year-old Walter Decker climbed the CN Tower in 70 minutes 鈥 his third time climbing for charity. And in 2024, Adam Jefferies ran from the Burlington Pier to the CN Tower, climbed all 1,776 steps, and then ran back, covering a distance of 110 kilometers (almost three marathons), all to raise awareness of UWGT鈥檚 programming.
Lisa McAuliffe, a former UWGT employee, said she鈥檚 met many inspiring people through her volunteer work at the event. She remembers one participant, who had lost his legs, using his upper body strength to climb the stairs. 鈥淚t was incredible,鈥 she said.
She also remembers a young man from New Zealand with cerebral palsy. 鈥淗e made it his mission to climb as many towers in the world as possible,鈥 she said. She got to know him through the registration process and now follows him on Instagram. 鈥淗e is quite the inspiration and is crazy funny!鈥
Jamie Thompson, 8 and father James climb up 1,776 stairs during the 1985 CN Tower Climb
ContributedSome participants just like to have fun (for a good cause). 鈥淥ne year the climb happened during the week of Halloween and people climbed in costume,*鈥 said UWGT employee Mike Fuhrmann. 鈥淚 think some people were dressed as Klingons.鈥
Other times, the climb was a show of resilience. 鈥淚t was a scary time after 9/11. There was news that the CN Tower could be the next target, so people were really scared, but the climb still took place,鈥 said Lisa Joynt, a former UWGT employee. 鈥淓veryone showed up 鈥 staff, volunteers, participants.鈥
There are many reasons why people choose to do the climb, but for some it鈥檚 about being part of something special 鈥 where the energy and excitement is palpable.
Debra DeCruze moved to Canada with her family in 1998 and, that summer, started looking for volunteer opportunities. She saw an ad for ClimbUP and decided to check it out 鈥 and was glad she did. She鈥檚 been volunteering ever since and now works for UWGT.
As she rode the bus to her early-morning volunteer shift, she wasn鈥檛 sure what to expect.
鈥淚 was blown away at the crowds of people who came out to take part, donate and support the event. They were from all over 鈥 not only just 色色啦,鈥 she said. 鈥淵oung, old and everyone in between were there for one common goal: to donate their time and efforts to help the community. And to have fun doing it, too!鈥
But DeCruze said words don鈥檛 give it justice. 鈥淚t is a profound experience 鈥 the nuances of its high energy must be experienced firsthand.鈥
To register for United Way Greater 色色啦鈥檚 CN Tower Climb, . To learn more about UWGT, .
*Please note the wearing of costumes and the hauling of items is now prohibited for the CN Tower climb.
