Hundreds of Calgarians climb steps at McHugh Bluffs to help end homelessness

Hundreds climb he McHugh Bluff stairs to raise money for Inn from the Cold, a group that helps families experiencing housing instability. Timm Bruch reports.

Calgary’s most famous set of stairs were even busier than usual Sunday as hundreds of people climbed and descended for a good cause.

The annual Steps to End Homelessness is an event that supports families experiencing housing instability.

Members of the Calgary Fire Department, who know a thing or two about climbing and descending steps, were among the participants Sunday.

“These are some pretty steep stairs, and every time you turn a corner, you think you’re at the top. And then you look up and realize there’s more,” said CFD public information officer Alex Kwan.

“It just seems never ending trying to get to the top,” said Greg West, the brother of the event’s founder, Suzanne West, who wanted to do something significant and impactful on her 45th birthday.

“I hope my legs work on the way down, so I’m not falling. It’s a challenge, for sure,” said Greg.

That challenge was met head-on by hundreds of Calgarians on Sunday.

The hard work was all part of the 15th annual Steps to End Homelessness event. It raises money for the largest family shelter in Alberta.

“We work with families that are facing homelessness, and so this is just a great way for community to get involved, to come out and step up one step at a time to make a difference,” said Jennifer English from Inn From the Cold.

For walkers and runners, a complete set of the stairs was worth two dollars for charity.

And all donations were matched by Power of One Foundation, an organization started by a local community advocate who passed away in 2018.

“She would be ecstatic to know how the city and people and Inn From the Cold, everyone, has embraced the challenge to donate some (of their) pain and suffering for some money (to help combat homelessness),” said West.

“Typically we raise anywhere between $120,000 and $200,000,” said English. “That’s between sponsorships and people that come out and drop in the day of.”

The Calgary Homeless Foundation says two in every 1,000 Calgarians experiences homelessness.

For more information, go here.

With files from CTV’s Timm Bruch and Amy Stalker