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Metrotown sees friendly neighbourhood superheroes suit up for a good cause

Participants put on their superhero capes for this year's annual Easter Seals Drop Zone fundraiser in Burnaby's Metrotown on Sept. 13.

One of B.C.'s most exciting annual fundraisers, the Easter Seals Drop Zone, returned for its 2022 edition in Burnaby's Metrotown on Tuesday. 

Friendly neighbourhood superheroes brought their capes out and rappelled down 18 storeys to raise money for Easter Seals camp and house, a charity that provides programs and services to differently abled persons.

In their 17th year conducting the fundraiser in British Columbia, they have raised over $137,000 for the charity. 

Held in four cities across B.C. - Vancouver, Burnaby, Surrey and Kelowna — the event saw180 participants daring to rappel down highrise buildings. First-time volunteer turned superhero, Kathleen MacDonald, joked that she got the inspiration from watching the movie, Resident Evil, and hopes to repeat her fundraising feat. 

"'I'm shaking. It's so nerve-wracking," she said. "But the entire process is so safe, and everything is just absolutely incredible."

The money raised goes to support children and adults living with disabilities and to help them gain confidence and self-esteem. 

"Camp is amazing," said Nathan Shipley, former camper turned ambassador for Easter Seals. "It allows the people with physical and or cognitive disabilities, to basically remove all the barriers so that people with disabilities can thrive in their own environment, with their disability, which they which is a huge deal for people with disabilities."

The participation has been overwhelming, he said, noting that the Vancouver and Burnaby events sold out.

For those looking to become a superhero for a good cause, some spaces are available for the Surrey drop zone happening on Friday, Sept. 16 and the Kelowna event on Sept. 20.

"Our campers, who have physical and cognitive disabilities face challenges every day of their lives," said Jenny Fines, marketing and communications co-ordinator of Easter Seals BC. "Volunteers challenging themselves for half an hour to raise some money can make lives a little easier for these peoples lives."

Easter Seals Drop Zone fundraiser

Where: Metrotower I at Metrotown

When: Sept. 13, 2022; 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m.