CREDIT: PROVIDED BY ERIN BHATIA
Lori Quick scales down London City Centre in Make-A-Wish's Rope for Hope.

For Londoners, Rope for Hope may only be one thing, and that is to experience the thrill of a life­time as they rappel from London City Centre; one of the tallest land­marks in London, but more impor­tantly they rappel for a cause.

Organized annually by Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario, Rope for Hope is an initiative to raise funds to grant the wishes of chil­dren with life-threatening medical conditions.

To take part in this event, partic­ipants register and commit to raise a minimum of $1,500, and all the proceeds go toward creating mag­ical and memorable wish experi­ences for Wish Kids.

However, there is more to Rope for Hope than just rappelling. Ev­ery participant has their story and reason to partake in the event. For some, this event is an opportunity to seek the thrill of a lifetime, and contributing to a cause at the same time.

However, for others it is more than that. An exclusive inter­view with the CEO of Make-A-Wish Southwestern Ontario, Lori Quick, has revealed that this event is about more than just fundraising and rappelling. Quick had partici­pated in the event along with her son Jordon and her daughter An­gela in 2014 and 2015.

Twenty years ago, her daughter Jenna’s wish was granted to go to Walt Disney World Resort in Flor­ida. Ever since then, Quick and her family are committed to the cause of Make-A-Wish. What inspired Quick to participate in the event was her passion for the Wish Kids and their families.

Quick recalled her emotional and adrenaline rush experience, when she rappelled for the first time from the London City Cen­tre in 2014. For her, the first step was the most difficult as she re­members that she was too scared to step on the edge of the 26-story building.

Her fear of heights didn’t help the situation; however, the thought of what the Wish Kids have to en­dure every day had motivated her to overcome her fears. According to Quick, the fear of rappelling from a tall landmark pales in com­parison to the struggles and fears the Wish Families face each day.

Participants who had experi­enced rappelling from the London City Centre before, describe it as exhilarating and unforgettable. Every year people from all walks of life participate in the event in­cluding employees of different leading corporations such as Chor­ley & Bisset, NAL Insurance and Corus Radio.

Quick has also said that the business community has shown keen interest in the event since it also serves as a team building ac­tivity for the volunteer because the rappelling can be done in teams.

Furthermore, it’s also a great way for them to show support for their co-workers who rappel.

This year’s Rope for Hope turn­out is expected to be even more than last year. The target for this year is to raise $150,000 for Lon­don and $1.6 million across Can­ada.

The event is scheduled to take place at the London City Centre on June 16. The reason behind the success of the event over the years is its uniqueness, as Quick described the idea of scaling down from a tall building and the feel­ing of overcoming one’s fears, as something extraordinary.

For Wish Kids, the event is syn­onymous with their will and cour­age to face the uncertainty, emo­tional pain and physical challenges each day. Quick also reiterated that one can utilize hope, strength and joy to overcome anything by celebrating little successes in life.

For more information and to register, please visit: www.rope­forhope.ca.