A Kelowna woman's wish to spread her mothers ashes on the tallest mountain in North America was granted

Photo: BCLC

Aiyla Forgie

A Kelowna woman’s dream to spread her mothers ashes on the tallest mountain in North America is coming true thanks to BC Lotto.

Aiyla Forgie’s mother suddenly passed away in April 2020. Forgie describes her mom as someone who always pushed her to follow her dreams, no matter how crazy.

“It didn’t matter how big or how crazy my dream was, she was always like, ‘OK, yeah, you can do it,” Forgie said. “Even though this is such a huge, crazy feat, I know that I can do it because I still have that piece of her in me — believing in me.”

After her mother passed, Forgie became aware of a contest, the Lotto Max Dream Studio contest. To enter, participants were asked to send in a :30 second video explaining what their dream is. More than 230 entries were received in 2021, but only 5 were chosen. Forgie’s wish of climbing Mount Denali in Alaska to spread her mothers ashes was granted.

“I’m shaking, I can feel my heart beating so fast,” Forgie said upon learning her entry was a winner.

Her prize entails an all-expenses paid trip to complete her hike to the top of North America’s highest peak, plus a Mountain Equipment gift card, for a total value of more than $13,000.

Forgie also mentioned that her next goal is to complete the Seven Summits and climb the seven highest mountains on seven continents, with Mount Denali being the first.