Legless trekker, Spencer West, is following last years climb up Kilimanjaro with a 300 km trek from Edmonton to Calgary to raise money for Free the Children.
You may have heard about the incredible journey of Spencer West, who at age 5 lost both legs as a result of a genetic disorder, but was able to overcome the struggles of his unique challenge to become a powerful force in motivating others to overcome adversity.
West surmounted one of the biggest challenges of his life last summer when he climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania—primarily on his hands—to raise money for the Free the Children organization’s clean water projects.
The success of his journey, shared with his best friends, David Johnson and Alex Meers, garnered more than $500,000 in donations—and a ton of media attention. The money goes to sustainable clean water projects in communities affected by the drought in Kenya.
As his personal mantra suggests, he redefined possible.
And as if climbing—and summiting—a 5,900 m high mountain on his hands wasn’t enough, this year West is hitting the road with his friends by his side for an epic 300 km walk from Edmonton to Calgary. His efforts are directed toward helping to bring clean water to people all over the world.
As West says, “For 11 days, we’re walking in solidarity with the women and children around the world who spend over one hundred million hours travelling to gather water for their families every day.”
His walk, beginning today, will be supported by fundraisers throughout Alberta and across Canada. West has challenged schools, families, and businesses to raise $25 per person to support Free the Children’s Water Initiative, a year-long campaign to bring permanent sources of clean water to 100,000 people around the world.
West will be joined along the way by such luminaries as co-founder of Free the Children, Craig Kielburger, Grammy and Juno award winner Nelly Furtado as well as a number of actors and TV personalities.
It’s not too late to redefine possible. You can join West and his team on their blog or donate online to We Walk 4Water or follow them on Twitter @Spencer2TheWest.