IGNITE The Light Campaign Reaches $250,000 Milestone, Sparking a Bright Future for Canadian Para Sport

The Paralympic Foundation of Canada is thrilled to announce we’ve reached the $250,000 raised milestone in the IGNITE The Light virtual seat campaign! We’ve achieved this amount thanks to the incredible generosity of Canadians from coast to coast. This achievement is more than just a number, it’s going to make an impact for the future of Canadian Para sport.

Since its launch, the IGNITE The Light initiative has captured the hearts of Canadians, uniting them in a shared mission to support our Canadian Paralympic Team at the Paris 2024 Paralympics and helping provide opportunities for the Canadian Paralympians of the future. By purchasing one of 40,000 virtual seats, donors are not only contributing to the financial success of the campaign but are also symbolizing their commitment to a more inclusive and equitable sports environment across the nation.

Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Mac Marcoux emphasized the importance of this milestone and highlighted the impact the funding will have for Para sport in Canada.

“The money raised through IGNITE The Light is incredible! It shows the support and belief people across the country have in the potential of Canadian Paralympians. Every dollar raised helps create opportunities for the next generation of Paralympians, allowing them to access the resources they need to excel in Para sport,” Marcoux shared.

“For visually impaired skiiers like me, we require specialized helmets with microphones and speakers so we can hear our guide calling the instructions while we’re doing extremely fast speeds down a mountain sometimes over 100kmh. But the helmets aren’t cheap, sometimes thousands of dollars, so knowing an emerging visually impaired skiier could have support to purchase this type of equipment to help them compete is a pretty awesome feeling. I’m so proud of my fellow Canadians who value supporting the IGNITE The Light initiative.”

The funds raised through the IGNITE The Light virtual seats campaign will go directly towards removing barriers that many Canadian athletes with a disability face. This includes access to adaptive sports equipment, Para sport specific coaching, and specialized training programs that are often financially out of reach. By contributing to this campaign, Canadians are directly impacting the lives of aspiring Paralympians, enabling them to pursue their dreams on the world stage. As we celebrate this milestone, we encourage Canadians to continue their support. Every virtual seat purchased not only brings us closer to our $1 million goal but also lights up the path for future generations of Paralympic athletes. Together, we are building a brighter, more inclusive future for Para sport in Canada.