Walking on walls in Windsor

By: Kyle Simkins

Over 50 people scaled Caesars Windsor’s tallest tower Sept 17. to benefit children with disabilities.

The Easter Seals inaugural Windsor Drop Zone event gave people the opportunity to raise funds by rappelling down the 27-story Augustus Tower in downtown Windsor.  Funds raised will help pay for expensive equipment needed by children.

Ram Sridhar, Windsor-Essex Easter Seals district chair, said participants raised about $1,500 each from.

“Easter Seals is a charity that helps children who have needs that can’t be covered by government funding, such as ramps, wheel chairs, lifts or braces,” said Sridhar.

Senior development officer for Easter Seals, David Lenz, said the monetary goal for Windsor Drop Zone was set at $80,000.

“It’s done in 15 other cities in Canada,” Lenz said. “Some of the cities have been doing this for six or seven years. This is the first one in Windsor and we’re already in talks to do it again next year.”

Allen Cresswell, 72, originally from East Yorkshire, England, said it was “absolutely fantastic.”

“There was a couple of reasons why I did it,” Cresswell said. “Naturally… for the children. I just had a pacemaker put in and I thought to show all the seniors…you can still do it. Don’t think about going down, just do it.”

Sue Vidinovski, who raised over $2,000, said she was feeling different emotions before going up.

OPP constable, Gloria Yu, said she was “totally pumped” to be able to participate in the Windsor Drop Zone.

“This has been an extraordinary experience so far,” Yu said. “My mother required the use of a wheelchair for most of her life. I thought, what a great cause this is and I just wanted to be a part of it.”

To donate to Windsor Easter Seals contact their office at 2117 Pelissier St. (519) 944-0044 or at easterseals.org.