Prince Albert woman prepares to climb Africa’s tallest mountain to support local cause

By Nigel Maxwell

Prince Albert’s Bernadette Lavoie has always had a love for adventure and travelling, and her next voyage will help an important local cause.

Later this month, the 48-year-old Owner of North Country Massage and Medi-Spa plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and the highest single free-standing mountain above sea level in the world.

“I do believe Kilimanjaro will be the challenge of my life,” Lavoie told paNOW.

After booking the trip and doing some background research, Lavoie read about other people who had raised money for charities while climbing the mountain. Lavoie then reached out to Hope’s Home and set a goal of raising $19,371 – a dollar for every foot of the mountain.

“I feel like climbing a mountain is a small feat compared to the assistance Hope’s Home gives children who have complex medical needs and also the support it gives families,” she explained.

In addition to a history of running half marathons, Lavoie climbed Machu Picchu with her daughter in Peru in 2016. When discussing training, Lavoie joked about the challenges of doing so in Saskatchewan, but added there have been some great hills to practice on at Waskesiu and at Little Red River Park.

“The elevation I’m gonna have to tackle when I get there,” she said.

Lavoie will begin her six-day climb on Jan. 16. During this time, a guide will bring her up and then back down in increments, to help climatize her and prevent elevation sickness.

“They have this saying in Africa, ‘pole-pole’, which means ‘slow, slow’ so we just make our way slowly up the mountain,” Lavoie explained.

When asked how her family and friends reacted to news of her climb, Lavoie replied they all thought she was crazy, but added no one was really surprised knowing her history of thinking outside the box.

“I feel that travel is good for my soul, and it’s just great to expand horizons, and I’m so thrilled to be able to tie a charity into this because holy cow am I ever motivated now,” she said.

Mickey MacGillivray, Regional Fundraising Manager at Hope’s Home said she was shocked when she learned what Lavoie planned to do.

“I am just actually in awe first of all that she’s climbing that high and that she just wants to help out Hopes Home so much, it just means the world to us when people do random stuff like that,” she said.

Those wishing to donate to Journey with Bernie, can do so through the Hope’s Home website. Donations over $20 will receive a tax receipt.