Hundreds step up, boogie down at TD StairClimb for United Way

London Fire department climbing the bowl at TD StairClimb on November 2, 2023

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Community responsibility and generosity are important to our corporate culture. Whether through personal and workplace donations, participation in the United Way Day of Caring or our perennial sponsorship of TD StairClimb – we recognize how much the region benefits when we come together for our neighbours.”

Melissa Holden
district manager, TD Mobile Mortgage Specialists and a volunteer member of the 2023 Campaign Cabinet

Hundreds of people moved, grooved and stepped to a disco beat during this year’s high-energy TD StairClimb for United Way.

During the day-long Nov. 2 event, 124 teams representing dozens of local workplaces and eight area schools climbed 480 stairs of the lower bowl at Bud Gardens or wheeled or strolled the all-abilities path at rink-side while bopping to disco tunes.

Notably, presenting sponsor TD Canada led the field with 22 teams of participants. Western University showed its purple pride with 21 teams.

Participants also included 17 London firefighter recruits and their instructors, who legged the course twice while wearing 30 kilograms each of protective gear.

The entire staff-and-student body of B. Davison Secondary School participated, as did a groovy-garbed group of moms and babies in strollers. One student ran the stairs 11 times. Freddie, the Fanshawe Falcons mascot, entertained hundreds of participants with high-energy dance moves.

Melissa Holden, district manager, TD Mobile Mortgage Specialists and a volunteer member of the 2023 Campaign Cabinet, said the annual event is important to TD and to the community.

“Community responsibility and generosity are important to our corporate culture,” Holden said. “Whether through personal and workplace donations, participation in the United Way Day of Caring or our perennial sponsorship of TD StairClimb – we recognize how much the region benefits when we come together for our neighbours.”

Highlights of the day included themed costumes, a funky photobooth, disco balls, temporary tattoos and always-enthusiastic participants led by warm-up crew Allison and Cory from FitClub BootCamps.

“TD StairClimb for United Way is our biggest community fundraising event of the year, and we love how it radiates so much fun and energy for everyone. It puts into action our belief that when this community stands united we don’t stand still,” said Kelly Ziegner, president and CEO of United Way Elgin Middlesex.

In its 27th year, the event is United Way’s biggest annual fundraiser.

With numbers still coming in – participants and donors can continue to raise funds until Nov. 10 – supporters are working to crack the $3-million mark in cumulative giving through StairClimb.

All proceeds support the local community and help United Way, the region’s largest non-government funder of social services, invest strategically in dozens of programs and services that give everyone a fair shot at a good life.

See all photos from the event here.

Presenting sponsor for TD StairClimb was TD Canada. Event sponsors were BMO, Cintas, Coldwell Bankers, EllisDon, LiUNA Local 1059, Mainstreet Credit Union, Royal Fence. In-kind sponsors were Budweiser Gardens, FitClub Bootcamps and City of London. Media sponsors were Corus Radio (980 CFPL, Country 104, Fresh 103.1, FM96) and myFM.

2023 TD StairClimb full sponsor banner

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