Saskatoon

Stair climb challenge in Saskatoon aims to raise money for Alzheimer's seniors

A climbing competition in Saskatoon today had teams of stair climbers hustling up 22 flights of stairs in an effort to help raise money for Alzheimer's patients.

Teams climb from 1st to 22nd floor of Luther tower

Stair climber Camilla Cameron said the 22-floor stair climb was fun and easy. (James Hopkin/CBC)

A climbing competition in Saskatoon today had teams of stair climbers hustling up 22 flights of stairs, all in an effort to help raise money for Alzheimer's patients.

"It's all to raise money for Luther Seniors Centre, which is part of the operations of Luther Care Communities," said Brian Tastad, who's director of development for Luther Care Communities. 

Starting at 11 a.m. CST, a total of 15 teams and one solo stair climber each took a shot at a timed run all the way up to the building's 22nd floor dining room. 

The entire trek covered 300 steps, equalling a vertical distance of 90 metres. 

Eight-year-old Camilla Cameron was part of the Pink Panthers team, and she said the whole event was quite fun, and that it wasn't at all hard.

Luther Care Communities development director Brian Tastad said the relay stair climbs were a big hit at the fundraising event. (James Hopkin/CBC)

The most fun part for her, she said, was beating another team called the Shanghai Express.

Money for the Temperance Street seniors centre will go towards renovations there.

According to release from Luther Care Communities, the tower provides "a day program for adults living in the community who have a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or related dementia."

The total amount raised by the event was $16,000.