On May 2, Lianne Gravitis will embark on her 19th climb of Toronto’s iconic CN Tower, a feat she has achieved to raise awareness and funds for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). Over the years, Gravitis has raised an impressive total of $13,000 for the organisation, helping to protect vital habitats for endangered species.
A Personal Challenge Transformed
Gravitis, 47, first tackled the CN Tower in 2005, seeking to test her own limits by racing up the 1,776 steps. Reflecting on her initial motivation, she expressed, “I just wanted to challenge myself.” Living in Oakville, Ontario, she has since turned this personal challenge into a community tradition that brings together like-minded individuals passionate about wildlife conservation. “It’s become a tradition, and it’s been fun. I truly like the community,” she added.
Her love for animals has been a driving force behind her commitment to the WWF’s cause. She operates a dog-walking service and actively supports a local animal shelter. “Animals have always gravitated towards me, and I just connect with them,” she shared. “They really teach us a lot about life and how to love and how to exist in life, too. Just being so present and grounding.”
Fundraising for Wildlife
The annual CN Tower Climb for Nature not only serves as a challenging athletic event but also raises over £1.5 million each year for the WWF. These funds contribute significantly to protecting the habitats of at-risk species, including monarch butterflies, narwhals, and barren-ground caribou. Beyond Toronto, the WWF also hosts an event at BC Place in Vancouver and an Anywhere Climb, allowing participants to raise funds from any location between April and June.
Gravitis has raised approximately $13,000 throughout her participation, with $8,000 generated in just the past four years. With a personal best time of 21 minutes and 19 seconds, she is determined to break the 20-minute barrier this year. To prepare, she has taken to climbing the stairs in local condominium towers, noting, “It’s never my legs. The problem is more my cardio, trying to breathe.”
Strategy for Success
For her upcoming ascent, Gravitis plans to start the climb around 6 a.m. to avoid the throngs of climbers, stating, “If you get there early, you can really motor up the stairs.” Her unwavering commitment to the climb is evident, as she quipped about her future aspirations: “I want to do it until I’m frigging, I don’t know, 80. As long as my body can do it, I’m going to do it. However long that is.”
Why it Matters
Lianne Gravitis’s dedication to the CN Tower Climb for Nature exemplifies the intersection of personal challenge and philanthropic endeavour. Her efforts not only contribute crucial funds to wildlife conservation but also inspire a sense of community and collective responsibility for our planet’s endangered species. As more individuals like Gravitis engage in similar initiatives, the potential for impactful change in protecting biodiversity and fostering awareness becomes increasingly tangible.
