Legacy of Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torch Relay includes a helping hand from the
RBC Foundation across Canada

TORONTO , Feb. 10 /CNW/ - RBC today announced it has committed more than $5.3 million in donations from the RBC Foundation to local causes and charities in more than 180 communities on the route of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay.

As part of the community celebrations along the relay, RBC announced donations to organizations that are making positive and meaningful impacts in their neighbourhoods. Funding benefitted organizations such as United Way/Centraide campaigns, Big Brothers Big Sisters, local food banks, numerous schools, colleges, universities, and dozens of other locally run charities.

"The 2010 Torch Relay served as a phenomenal rallying point for millions of Canadians and it has truly been an honour to contribute to its success," said Gordon M. Nixon, RBC president and CEO. "RBC employees and clients are actively working to improve their communities and we're proud to support their efforts to create a better Canada with these donations. The relay has been one of the great events in our country's history and we are extremely proud to have been a part of it."

"We had a vision to shed a light on the people and places of Canada and bring the spirit of the Olympic Flame to every corner of the country. We wanted to make Canadians proud and through the hard work of our communities, the support of our partners, and the millions of Canadians who celebrated the relay with glowing hearts, we have surpassed even our most ambitious expectations," said John Furlong , CEO of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). "RBC's contributions to the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay have been immense. The way RBC has combined their ongoing philanthropic contributions with their support of the relay represents the magic of the Olympic Spirit and the magic of Canada ."

In addition to the donations, RBC, a presenting partner of the 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, also provided each community an original piece of artwork to commemorate community celebrations along the route. The art, created on stage at each celebration by artists Fritz Branschat and Jessica Gorlicky, depicts an iconic image of a Vancouver 2010 Olympic Torchbearer.

About RBC

As part of our commitment to help create a better Canada , RBC sponsors amateur sport, from grassroots programs in local communities to national sport associations that support the development of amateur athletes who compete at home and abroad. As a long standing supporter of the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Teams, RBC continues its sponsorship through the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games and is proud to help showcase Olympic and Paralympic sport as presenting partner of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Torch Relays. RBC is also a premier sponsor of Hockey Canada , the Canadian Snowboard Team, the Canadian Freestyle Ski Team, Athletics Canada and the Canadian Paralympic Committee. Visit www.rbc.com/sponsorship.

For further information: Katie Hammill, RBC, Media Relations, 2010 Olympic Torch Relay, [phone], Email: [email protected]; Matthew Gierasimczuk, RBC, Media Relations, [phone]; Gillian McArdle, RBC, Media Relations, [phone]