Take for example, his experience in 2006. Ron had planned to spend a week in Portugal; he ended up cycling from Lisbon to Rome.

Last Christmas a friend suggested he join the MS Climb up towering Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain at 19,330 feet. Reeleder didn’t for a moment shy from the challenge.

“Why am I doing this? The answer is simple, because I can,” said Reeleder.

MS Climb is a Canadian volunteer organization that each year takes teams of 20 to different climbing destinations around the world.

The inaugural MS Climb raised over $155,000 with 23 climbers reaching the summit of Machu Picchu, Peru, in September 2008. This year Reeleder is among 30 other Canadians travelling to Tanzania, Africa, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. The treks are planned over a five-year span, with three more remaining. In 2010 participants will journey along the Great Wall of China, in2011agroup willtraveltoMt. Everest base camp and in 2012, they will hike the Yukon’s Chilkoot Trail.

Each year the adventurers must raise a minimum of $7,500. To that end, Reeleder has organized a golf tournament scheduled to tee off July 18, 1 p. m. at Knollwood Golf Course, 914 Book Rd. W. in Ancaster. The cost is $125 per person, which includes 18 holes, power cart, buffet dinner and great prizes. Along with golfers, Reeleder is looking for hole sponsors and prize donations. For more information on how you can help, call Courtney at 905-928- 1618 or email watscourt@gmail.com.

A Jar Donation contest is also underway. Reeleder will don the hat, shirt or jacket of the business that raises the most through customer donations. As well, for a donation of $2, residents can sign a flag that will travel with Reeleder to Africa and be unfurled at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Reeleder, 48, is an avid cyclist who has participated in many charity cycling events. He has never climbed a mountain, but is looking forward to the challenge.

To prepare, he has been cycling from Ancaster to the Dundurn Street steps. He currently runs up and down two or three times. His goal is to reach 50pll, which, he said, is equivalent to 10 times up and down the CN Tower.

Reeleder will continue his training regimen for the next four months to prepare his body for the seven-day climb that begins in early October.

“I have been blessed with good health my whole life and so has the bigger part of my family,” said Reeleder. “I think it is only right to help those who struggle with illness. I don’t have MS and I don’t know anybody with the disease, but I don’t want to sit on my butt until I know someone who is suffering.

“We all have to do two things; we must be pro-active in our lives and we all must learn to pay it forward, not just with money but also with our backs and hands and hearts.”

Canadians have one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. Every day, three more people in Canada are diagnosed with MS, and it is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults. The goal for the five MS Climb expeditions is to raise $1 million.

Ken Mayhew, chief development officer for MS Society of Canada, said “Each pledge of support for novel and inspiring initiatives like the MS Climb turns the question of ‘if’ we will find a cure, to ‘when’ we will find it.”

To find out more about the climb, visit www.msclimb2008.com. You can also check out the Facebookz groups, Climb Kilimanjaro for MS and Climb Kilimanjaro for MS Golf Tourney.