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Harraher to reach the summit in retirement by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 3 | Friday, July 11, 2014 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com A 68-year-old Oakville man joined a group of 14 people in an attempt to climb Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro for charity earlier this month. Kevin Harraher, who said this is his first time climbing a mountain, was fundraising throughout June in an attempt to reach the group's goal of raising $187,500 for CODECanada's leading international development not-for-profit organization focused on advancing literacy and education. The retired Scotiabank banker said he became aware of the "Summit for Literacy 2014Kilimanjaro Climb" through running buddy and Constitutional lawyer Christopher Bredt. Bredt has previously led expeditions up Kilimanjaro for charity in the past and invited Harraher to participate, but Harraher had always declined due to work and family responsibilities. With his recent retirement and family supporting him, Harraher told the Oakville Beaver there was no reason he shouldn't tackle the highest mountain in Africa this year. "When you get older and retire, the tendency is for you to draw in and do less. To close in and stay in the comfort zone," said Harraher. "I thought this would be a challenge, something to get me out of my comfort zone. I'm looking forward to meeting a whole bunch of new people. I think retired people should do something like this, just push themselves a little bit." Harraher said his biggest worry about the I thought this would be a challenge, something to get me out of my comfort zone. I'm looking forward to meeting a whole bunch of new people. I think retired people should do something like this, just push themselves a little bit. I'm 68 baby, and I'm going to get up that mountain. Kevin Harraher Oakville Oakville resident Kevin Harraher, 68, had taken on the challenge of climbing Tanzania's Mount Kilimanjaro. He's raising money for charity and pushing his own limits after recently retiring. He was expected to reach the summit of the mountain this week during the week-long ascent and descent. | submitted photo climb was altitude sickness and noted that during the adventure he would be faced with the dilemma of whether to take medication to combat it. He said people can actually die from acute altitude sickness on the 5,895-metre mountain, but on the other hand the medication to prevent it has side effects and people can have allergic reactions to it. inside today's Editorial Sports Beaver www.insideHALTON.com Holland Park Garden Alexanian Carpet & Flooring Home Hardware Rabba Oakville Marketplace New Homes Besides that, Harraher said he was prepared to take on the challenge, having kept fit by running and racquetball. "I'm 68 baby, and I'm going to get up that mountain," he said. "The leader of the climb says they have a 98 per cent success rate up Kilimanjaro so if I start to falter he is going to carry me up to the top on his back." Harraher said even the fundraising aspect of the climb has been fun stating it has given him the chance to get back in touch with many people from his working life whom he had lost touch with. The group was very close to approaching all of its $187,500 goal while Harraher did com- plete his $7,000 objective. He said if the group reaches its goal the Government of Canada will match the amount 3:1 for a total of three quarters of a million dollars. The money will be used to support libraries and schools in Tanzania. "I think it is a great cause," said Harraher. "I am a great believer in education -- that it takes people from the bottom and gives them a chance to get to the top." Far from being concerned about Harraher climbing the mountain, his family has stood firmly behind him with his wife, Dorothy, contributing $1,000 towards his fundraising efforts. Harraher said his wife was his first, and his biggest, contributor. His daughter Dr. Ciara Harraher has also contributed $500. Harraher left for Tanzania in late June. The climb up and down the mountain is expected to take a week with Harraher scheduled to be on Kilimanjaro's summit this week. For more information or to support the cause, visit http://support.codecan.org/site/ TR/Events/KiliClimb?pg=entry&fr_id=1040. 6 20 Artscene Classified 18 24 *All flyers not necessarily delivered to all homes CONCRETE · DRIVEWAYS For home delivery & customer service call 905-631-6095, 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington New subscriptions call 905-631-6095 or subscribe online @ www.oakvillebeaver.com · FRENCH CURBS · PATIOS · STEPS · WALKWAYS · GARAGE FLOORS Sore Feet, Sports Injury, Painful Ingrown Toenails? Plantar Warts? 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