Two Sarnia realtors are set to hike 100 kilometres through mountain ranges in British Columbia to raise funds for women's shelters across Canada.
Adam Dumond and Mike Cullis are both taking part in this year's Royal LePage Shelter Foundation Trek in August.
"The money raised goes to women's shelters, specifically, 80 per cent of it will go to our local women's shelter, the other 20 per cent will go to initiatives for Canada-wide women's shelters," said Dumond.
The six-day trek in BC’s Northern Purcell Mountains begins on August 9.
Cullis, who has taken part in the foundation trek in the past, has a fundraising goal of $10,000.
Dumond said his fundraising goal is $5,000, but he's going to readjust it to try and make it to $10,000 before the hike.
"I've never done anything like this before, so it's kind of a new challenge and it's kind of exciting for me," said Dumond. "My mother, and I think my wife, are a little bit worried about bears or injuries or me having to get helicoptered out or whatever, but I think it's just a really cool experience, and raising money for people in need. I think now more than ever, there's a need for women's shelters."
Dumond said around 100 Royal LePage realtors are taking part and that they will be split up into five groups -- he'll be in the first group to set out on the hike.
"Your phone turns off after a day, the battery doesn't last, there's no cell reception, it's just you and about a group of 20 people out in the wilderness just hiking, surviving, swapping stories -- it's a good bonding experience that way."
Dumond, an Orangeville native who's called Sarnia home for about 15 years now, also raises funds for mental health and suicide awareness through the Dumond Foundation and through Sarnia Sings, both of which he started.
"All of my fundraising stuff is about getting people together, unfortunately, so this is a different way to kind of fundraise without breaking the law."
Dumond said he'll be providing updates on his journey in BC on his Facebook page.
