A patriotic donor who wants to remain nameless is challenging others to donate to the Okanagan Rail Trail initiative – offering to match up to $50,000 in donations received on Canada Day, July 1 up to July 10.
“My donation will build just over 300 metres of trail and by working together, we can create over 600 metres. That’s the better part of a kilometre,” said the unnamed donor.
Fundraisers are hopeful the challenge will roll out more donations in the coming days.
“Donations have been coming in every day and the support is fantastic. If we want construction to start early next spring however we will need a lot more and this just might inspire that,” said fundraiser Brad Clements.
According to the Okanagan Rail Trail website, 272 individual donations have been made, funding 937 meters of of trail.
An estimated $7.8 million is needed to put in a gravel path along the trail.
“Campaigns of similar amounts have been raised in the Okanagan in the past and I believe our communities can rise to this occasion,” said Laurie Postill, one of 35 trail ambassadors who are expected to sell the idea to Okanagan communities and raise funds.
The ambassadors have talked with over 30 businesses, clubs and service groups interested in becoming campaign partners over the last few weeks.
Donations can be made online or at the North Okanagan and Central Okanagan community foundations.
Every $160 donated funds a meter of construction, said Clements.