News & Media

Bruce Trail Expedition for Kids Mission Completed

Local Citizens Raise $500,000 for Hamilton Kids’ Charity

Tobermory, ON – On Friday Oct 26th at 1 p.m. Hamilton-based, local heroes and world adventure seekers - Fred Losani, Peter Turkstra and Mark Maclennan successfully completed a 30-day, 855 km trek of the Bruce Trail to raise funds and awareness for Hamilton kids charities. Joined by Finnish international explorer Teemu Lakkasuo, this fundraising mission, called Bruce Trail Expedition for Kids, has raised $500,000 for Hamilton-based children’s in-school nutrition programs.

The fundraising mission also brought attention to the eco-significant Bruce Trail, which is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary. The Bruce Trail is Canada's oldest and longest footpath that provides the only continuous public access to the magnificent Niagara Escarpment, and a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

As local business leaders, Losani and Turkstra are renowned for their spirit of adventure and their personal commitment to giving back to Hamilton, where they live and operate businesses. In 2006, Losani and Turkstra conquered the North Pole. In 2008, Losani, Turkstra and McLennan completed the dramatic journey to the South Pole. Both expeditions raised over $1 million for Hamilton’s inner-city kids. By completing The Bruce Trail Expedition the team has conquered another world landmark and another financial fundraising milestone has been reached!

The Bruce Trail Expedition for Kids team set out on Sept 24th from Queenston, on the Niagara River, with a goal to trek to the Trail’s natural conclusion, the northern terminus in Tobermory. All within 30 days! Along the way the four hikers communicated with local students via live webcam and satellite phone transmissions.

Through youtube, blog and website, each hiker contributed with insightful and engaging commentary to the students and donors. Students were even given the opportunity to walk with the hikers at certain milestones along the trial. Students could then experience first hand the physical challenges and personal rewards of the expedition.

“On every trek we have undertaken, our goal for fundraising has been simple: to raise as much awareness and financial support as possible for our Hamilton youth,” offers Fred Losani. “However, this experience has been so much more than that. We are truly “exploring” in our own “backyard”. Through this journey we have been able to draw attention to the variety of natural beauty and breathtaking scenery that we have right here! We’re helping get a new generation of students and their parents thinking about protecting and maintaining the Bruce Trail, which is just outside their door.”

While many think of the Bruce as a spot for day hikes, the trail represented a significant challenge for the foursome. Hiking over multilayered rock formations, traversing narrow, cliffside outcroppings, climbing over rugged terrain embedded with sharp Dolomite rock, encountering rain, fog and slippery autumn leaves made each ascending and descending step a careful, focused effort.

“Each day brought new discoveries and challenges that made our trek more meaningful”, adds Peter Turkstra. “The kids got to see us struggling with the terrain, seeing how arduous this was. They got to experience the Niagara Escarpment beyond the familiar Hamilton Mountain and flat plains of the surrounding vineyards and orchards. We took them to places – over ruggedly spectacular Bruce Peninsula, into caves carved into the faces by centuries of glacial erosion, overlooking sandy beaches and crashing waves. They took in the misty waterfalls and vast panorama’s of Georgian Bay.”

The Bruce Trail Expedition for Kids team also demonstrated to the students’ qualities such as perseverance, teamwork, the importance of proper nutrition and leading an active healthy lifestyle. “Being a good corporate citizen is important, but being able to be an inspiring role model for young people to get involved, be healthy and respect the environment is very rewarding!” adds Maclennan.

Finnish explorer, Lakkasuo was overwhelmed by the natural beauty of the region and made comparison’s to his home country’s deep respect for nature, and the Finnish understanding of the need to preserve forests, water and wilderness for generations to come. “Se itse oli niin kaunis,” – it’s so beautiful!

The team was so motivated by the support they arrived 2 days ahead of schedule! Joining them at the “finish line”, the famed Cairn at Tobermory, were cheering students from Tobermory Public School, Bruce Trail Conservancy and family and friends.

For their efforts and on-going contributions to the City of Hamilton’s youth, Mayor Bob Bratina will honour the fundraising foursome at an October 30th city hall ceremony.

Local Adventurers reach the 600 kilometer mark on their quest to complete the 885 kilometer Bruce Trail end to end in 30 days.

To date the hikers have each taken over 1 million steps

2012 Bruce Trail for Kids – 50th Anniversary of the First Trail Blaze

The Team:

Peter Turkstra, Fred Losani, Mark Maclennan joined by their good friend Teemu Lakkasuo from Finland are no strangers to adventure. After the team trekked the North and South poles, and helping to raise over 1.1 million dollars for inner-city kids, it seemed logical for these 4 hikers to walk the Bruce Trail from Queenston on the Niagara River to Tobermory on Georgian Bay. After all, it is the 50th anniversary of the first trailblazing and hiking on the trail.

The team has now reached the 600 kilometer mark of their journey. They set out on September 24, 2012 and will complete the hike at the end of October. While many think of the Bruce Trail as a spot for day hikes, the 885-kilometer Bruce Trail is rugged and will represent a significant challenge.

The Purpose:

The team’s purpose for this adventure is to raise funds to support food programs for inter-city youth; in addition the hike will support other local charities. Go to www.brucetrailforkids.ca track the team and help support them with a kind donation.

In addition to raising money aimed at Food & Nutrition for Inner City kids, a big part of this adventure is the interaction with kids.

Both the Public and Separate School Boards are participating in the design of specific curriculum based on following the trek. The team has a fully interactive experience with thousands of inner-city kids that will include all aspects of the Niagara Escarpment adventure.

The hope is that following and participating in the hike will engage the kids. From designing their own web sites and fundraising, to interviewing the team along the way, the goal is to educate in an interactive way. This will even include thousands of children joining the team on the Bruce Trail to experience the Niagara Escarpment in person.

As in the past two outings to the North and South pole the team will cover all their own expenses and all funds will go to the inner-city causes as well as a donation to the Bruce Trail Conservancy.

The Bruce Trail:

Canada's oldest and longest footpath provides the only continuous public access to the magnificent Niagara Escarpment, a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve. It is one of only sixteen such reserves in all of Canada. 2012 marks the 50th anniversary of the first walk of the Bruce Trail; by a group from the Hamilton area. Many people don’t understand that only half of the Trail is protected and that we need to help preserve the rest for the future.

For this next adventure Peter and Fred’s team have been sanctioned by the Bruce Trail Conservancy based on the experience gained on the previous Arctic and Antarctic adventures and the Team’s understanding of the importance of protecting of the environment.

The team is hoping that the hike will not only raise funds, but also bring awareness to the natural beauty of the Niagara Escarpment and the Bruce Trail - located right in our backyard.

In a Few Days the Trekkers will be in Wiarton and are excited to meet Wiarton Willie!!!

Local Adventurers to hike the complete 885-kilometer Bruce Trail with over 400km of side trails to help inner-city kids and support the Bruce Trail Conservancy

2012 Bruce Trail For Kids – 50th Anniversary Hike of the Bruce Trail

The Team:

Fred Losani and Peter Turkstra are no strangers to adventure. After conquering the North and South poles, and helping to raise over 1 million dollars for Hamilton's inner-city kids, it seemed logical to walk the Bruce Trail from Queenston on the Niagara River to Tobermory on Georgian Bay. After all, it is the 50th anniversary of the first trailblazing and hiking on the trail.

They plan to set out on September 24, 2012 and hope to complete the hike in 30 days. While many think of the Bruce Trail as a spot for day hikes, the 885-kilometer Bruce Trail with over 400km of side trails is rugged and will represent a significant challenge.

Along the way, other members of previous expeditions will join the team. In addition, Teemu Lakkasuo, will be joining the hike; he is a well-known outdoor adventurer from Finland.

The Purpose:

In addition to raising money aimed at Food & Nutrition for Hamilton Inner City kids, a big part of this adventure is the interaction with kids.

Both the Public and Separate School Boards are participating in the design of specific curriculum based on following the trek. For the 2012 Hike, the team plans on having a fully interactive experience with thousands of inner-city kids that will include all aspects of the Niagara Escarpment adventure.

As in the past two outings the team will cover all their own expenses and all funds will go to the inner-city causes as well as a donation to the Bruce Trail Conservancy.