Trekking through 100 kilometres of Iceland’s most actively volcanic terrain is no simple feat, but Steve Kotan is prepared to brave the challenge in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation and raising funds to help women and children in Canada escape abuse and rebuild lives safe and free from violence.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to come from a family without domestic violence,” Kotan said. “But I have a mother, a sister, a daughter and many female friends and I would hate to ever see any of them exposed to domestic violence. It’s a real problem.”
He said for six continuous days, he and his colleagues from offices across Canada will be crossing the terrain, which will include difficult terrain, unpredictable weather while sleeping in tents with only a couple of hours of darkness each night, suffering jet lag and without any other conventional comforts.
“Last year we traveled through Peru up to Macchu Pichu and that was difficult,” he said. “There’s a lot of physical training. I’m quite an active individual, but I’ve recently started hiking again 8 or 10 kilometre treks with my dog to prepare. It will also be a lot of mental preparation for things like the lack of darkness to sleep in.”
To be eligible, each member must raise $5,000 in support of the Foundation and all of the costs associated with Kotan’s journey will be covered by him personally, ensuring all the funds go towards helping those in need.
The Iceland Challenge for Shelter is a unique fundraising event in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation which encourages Royal LePage agents from across Canada to raise funds and train for a physically demanding adventure travel experience. In 2015, the Machu Picchu Challenge for Shelter saw dozens of Royal LePage agents raise half a million dollars for the real estate company’s corporate charity.
Steve Kotan has set a goal to raise $10,000.00 which will be donated to The Nipissing Transition House in North Bay. Funds will be used to fund the purchase of “transition kits” that provide household goods to the women that are transitioning back into society. A portion of funds raised will also support domestic violence prevention programs across Canada, including those focused on youth, to help break the cycle of family violence.
In all the fundraising initiatives he’s been a part of or witnessed, Kotan said he’s been absolutely blown away by the kindness in the community. Last year, he surpassed his goal and raised approximately $11,000 for the Foundation with the help of the community.
“This city is amazing,” he said. “I’m so proud to be from North Bay when I see the small number of people here and all of the generosity that comes from them.”
To pledge donations to his journey in support of the foundation, you can visit his fundraising page here.
