Record $2.6 million raised for children's causes
MONT-TREMBLANT, QC, Dec. 6, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - The organizers of Tremblant's 24h are thrilled to announce that the 15th edition of the event raised the record amount of $2,639,374. This year's participants were instrumental in surpassing the original target of $2.5 million set for this year's event. A total of 2,359 skiers, runners and walkers, grouped into 273 teams, made the most of mild weather conditions and the festive atmosphere to tackle their 24-hour relay challenges. In numbers, the weekend tally was 12,173 downhill runs and 17,415 kilometres covered by walkers and runners.
"Wow! This is a truly amazing way to underscore 15 years of generosity," said a visibly moved Patrice Malo, president of the Tremblant 24h Foundation. "Whether participants were here for the first time or their fifteenth, we thank them all. Without the participants, donors, partners and volunteers, this event would not be the huge success it has been, year after year. The dedication shown with each edition warms my heart. This 15th-anniverary edition has shattered every record so far and raises the bar once again for next year."
One challenge, three ways to meet it
Now more accessible than ever to all, Tremblant's 24h gives participants three ways to enjoy the event: skiing, walking or running. This year, nearly 1,600 skiers took to the slopes, while nearly 700 runners and walkers did their laps over the 24-hour period. The Walk & Run portion saw the number of participants double this year, giving the event fresh impetus. Organizers are confident that this aspect of the challenge will continue to grow in popularity and even match the number of skiers within a few years.
It's all for the children
Year after year, Tremblant's 24h and its participants have enjoyed the support of a distinguished roster of ambassadors. This year's crew was composed of Benoit Gagnon, Philippe Fehmiu, Mario Tessier, Anne-Marie Withenshaw, Dustin Cook, Dominic Arpin, Marie-Claude Sabourin, Frédéric Plante and Yanick Bouchard, along with Lianne Laing et Stuntman Stu representing the Ottawa Senators Foundation. Also involved were Pierre Bruneau and Paul Doucet of the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau and a number of other public figures, who were there to cheer on the teams; they included Eric Salvail, Phil Roy, Patrick Langlois, Eve Landry, Hugo Giroux, Alexandre Dubé and Lyne Bessette, to name but a few.
Each participating team is always symbolically paired with one of 10 sponsored children representing the three foundations that benefit from the fundraiser. "Since 2001, we have raised more than $20 million for children's causes. Our superheroes – the sponsored kids – motivate us every year to do work even harder on their behalf, even after 15 years," said Simon St-Arnaud, executive producer of the event. "Tremblant's 24h has never been more accessible to anyone who wants to participate and experience something unique and unforgettable. We have already turned our attention to the 16th edition, which will be held December 9 to 11, 2016. We hope to see everyone there."
Some of the teams outdid themselves in the donation race and their tremendous effort deserves a special mention:
The top three ski teams with the most funds collected in the donation race are:
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$132,846 |
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$55,512 |
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$47,511 |
The three walking and running teams which collected the most donations are:
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$41,412 |
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$40,267 |
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$30,165 |
Tremblant's 24h now-legendary Concert at the Foot of the Slopes - 15th Anniversary Special, directed by David Laflèche, launched the vast audience into full-party mode. There were performances by guest artists Marie-Mai, Dumas, Vincent Vallières, Mélissa Lavergne, Kevin Bazinet, Martin Deschamps, Jonas & The Massive Attraction, Patrick Bourgeois, Nadja, Lili-Ann DeFrancesco and Jeffrey Piton. The night's last act, Simple Plan, took the stage with a unique and memorable show featuring a variety of guest vocalists, including Bobby Baziny, Rémi Chassé and young singer Janick Thibault.
Major partners and worthy beneficiaries
The remarkable outcomes of Tremblant's 24h are made possible by the ongoing efforts and extraordinary participation of very special sponsors and major donors: Manuvie, TELUS, Helly Hansen, Kombi, Sunice, Boréale, CRI Agence, CGI, Van Houtte, Coca Cola, Brookfield Renewable Energy Partners and Mont Tremblant Resort. Their commitment and support, year after year, to Tremblant's 24h and its mission, has helped assist the causes of the Fondation Centre de cancérologie Charles-Bruneau, Fondation Tremblant and the Ottawa Senators Foundation, the beneficiaries of this huge fundraising event.
"Tremblant's 24h is a remarkable community event organized on behalf of charitable institutions dedicated to helping children in Quebec," said Charles Guay, vice-president and general manager, Institutional Markets, of Manulife Canada and president/CEO of Manuvie Québec. "The event also promotes the importance of physical activity and the health and well-being of Canadians, which is important to us at Manuvie."
"TELUS congratulates all 24h participants and thanks the many visitors who stopped by Halte TELUS and used our charging station to help raise $60,000 for children's health and well-being. This brings our total contribution to more than $800,000 over the past 11 years," said Danny Serraglio, vice-president of Sales and Business Solutions, TELUS Quebec and Atlantic provinces. "Tremblant's 24h allows us to uphold our philosophy, Give Where You Live. We're already looking forward to skiing next year to help kids and their families who demonstrate such courage and perseverance."
"CGI is proud to be part of Tremblant's 24h for the eighth consecutive year. The company's five participating teams raised more than $65,000 for a cause they hold dear. CGI is also pleased to offer, as an expertise partner, technology for the 24h transactional platform. At CGI, community involvement is among our core values," said Frédéric Ciorra, captain of the CGI teams.
"Brookfield Renewable is extremely proud to have surpassed the $1 million mark in funds raised for Tremblant's 24h, including this year's $426,521," said Richard Legault, executive president of Brookfield Renewable. "We've partnered the event since 2006 and were pleased to see 120 of our employees take part in this year's weekend activities. We all come away enriched, having had a good time and contributed to the cause of children's well-being. We thank Tremblant's 24h for an experience that is always unforgettable!"
"We're celebrating our second year of involvement with the 24h Walk & Run, and we're thrilled to have helped raise money for children in need. We hope that our participation will enable these kids to grow and thrive and love life to the fullest. Helly Hansen's motto is Be Good, Be Nice. This fantastic event allows us to demonstrate our commitment to future generations and to give back to our community. Keep an eye out for friendly faces on the HH team this winter on the slopes!"
About Tremblant's 24h
Each year Tremblant's 24h event attracts more than 30,000 people, including close to 3,000 participants, sponsors, celebrities, musicians and journalists. Tremblant's 24h is a sporting team challenge with three components, skiing, walking, and running, and took place this year from December 4 to 6 in Tremblant. Registered teams collect donations and all profits go to three major foundations working for children's causes. Each team has between 6 and 12 people, who relay each other over 24 consecutive hours of skiing, walking or running. The event also features major concerts and a vast array of outdoor activities throughout the weekend, making it an unforgettable experience for all who attend.
Since 2001, the efforts of all concerned have helped raise over $20 million for sick and underprivileged children.
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SOURCE Tremblant's 24h
Image with caption: "The organizers of Tremblant’s 24h are thrilled to announce that the 15th edition of the event raised the record amount of $2,639,374. (CNW Group/Tremblant's 24h)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20151206_C4620_PHOTO_EN_559017.jpg
Marie-Pier Kenney, Morin Relations Publiques, T. 514 289-8688, ext. 237, C. 514 757-8619, [email protected]
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