ALEXANDER FERGUSON STUDENTS JOIN OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST DUFF GIBSON IN THE LAST LEG OF HIS 12KM EXPEDITION AROUND CALGARY

All 218 students, Kindergarten to Grade 6 at Alexander Ferguson School will be setting out on a “Walk for Water” on October 22.  They will meet up with Olympic Gold Medalist, Duff Gibson as he completes an ambitious 12km trek around Calgary while carrying a 45 lb jug of water on his head to raise awareness of water issues in Africa.  The students, including his five year old son, Gedion, will also be carrying water jugs as they walk alongside Gibson for the final kilometer of the walk.

Gibson came up with the idea for this unique fundraiser in 2006 after seeing a TV infomercial that featured a frail 15 year-old girl whose very livelihood depended on a two-hour walk to a neighbouring well. Everyday the young girl would fill up a large plastic container of water, and then carry it back to her home on her head under the scorching African sun.  It made him ask the question "Could I do that?" and we will all find out the answer to his question on October 22nd.

Gibson will begin at Canada Olympic Park and finish at Alexander Ferguson School in an effort to raise awareness of water issues and the great work the Stephen Lewis Foundation is doing in Africa. 

When:             Thursday, October 22, 2009
                        Start: 9:00am – address to media
                        Finish: approximately 1:00pm – address to students/media

Where:            Calgary, Alberta

Start: Canada Olympic Park with an opening media conference and ceremonial water jug-filling with local fire fighters

Finish: Alexander Ferguson Students to complete last kilometer of walk with Duff and other participants using water jugs/containers.  Closing and address to students and participants to follow.

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