A patriotic donor wanting to celebrate Canada Day has offered to match donations to the Okanagan Rail Trail fundraising campaign that are received between July 1 and July 10 up to $50,000 dollars.

The Okanagan Rail Trail Initiative (ORTI) says the donor, wishing not to receive any recognition for this action, wanted to encourage others to contribute to the construction of the trail.

害羞草研究所淢y donation will build just over 300 metres of trail and by working together, we can create over 600 metres. That害羞草研究所檚 a better part of kilometre," the donor said through the ORTI which sent out a press release on the donor's behalf.

Trail ambassador Brad Clements says it should give the fundraising campaign a good boost.

害羞草研究所淒onations have been coming in every day and the support is fantastic," said Clements. "If we want construction to start early next spring however we will need a lot more and this just might inspire that.害羞草研究所�

To date the campaign has received 266 individual donations that equal just less than a kilometre of construction. The entire trail is close to 50 kilometres long.

Trail Ambassador Duane Thomson sees momentum building.

害羞草研究所淚n the last few weeks trail ambassadors have talked with over 30 businesses, clubs and service groups that are interested in becoming campaign partners and business partners," said Thomson. "There are also 35 trail ambassadors getting ready to help spread the word this summer.害羞草研究所�

The goal to raise $7.86 million is a lofty, yet achievable one, according to one trail ambassador.

害羞草研究所淐ampaigns of similar amounts have been raised in the Okanagan in the past and I believe our communities can rise to this occasion害羞草研究所� said Laurie Postill. 害羞草研究所淚f we all give what we can towards the trail and inspire our friends, family and co-workers to do the same, we can build our trail and enjoy this incredible property. Together we can create this legacy for our communities.害羞草研究所�

To make a donation, visit okanaganrailtrail.ca or visit the North Okanagan Community Foundation or the Central Okanagan Foundation. Every $160 donated funds a meter of construction. The campaign is also looking for trail ambassadors, campaign partners and business partners to help inspire donations. For more information visit okanaganrailtrail.ca/get-involved.

Campaign Facts

害羞草研究所�    937 meters funded

害羞草研究所�    272 donors

害羞草研究所�    Current Target - $500,000 for design and access control

害羞草研究所�    % to Target 害羞草研究所� 30

害羞草研究所�    35 Trail Ambassadors

害羞草研究所�    7 Campaign Partners

害羞草研究所�    7 Business Partners

Trail Facts

害羞草研究所�    $22 million 害羞草研究所� purchase price of discontinued rail corridor.

害羞草研究所�    $50 million 害羞草研究所� asking price.

害羞草研究所�    $7.86 million - estimated cost to construct the first phase of the trail.

害羞草研究所�    Spring 2017 害羞草研究所� possible construction start date.

害羞草研究所�    48.5 km 害羞草研究所� length of trail when completed (17.8 km in Kelowna, 2.3 km in Okanagan Indian Band, 16.3 km in Lake Country, 12.1 km in Regional District of North Okanagan).

害羞草研究所�    24 kms - total distance of lakefront, creeks and truly unique natural habitats along the trail.

害羞草研究所�    1.3 % - maximum grade of the trail.

害羞草研究所�    212,000 害羞草研究所� combined estimated population of communities along the trail.

害羞草研究所�    588,000 害羞草研究所� estimated number of annual uses by year five.

害羞草研究所�    $6.7 害羞草研究所� $8.7 million  - annual injection to our economy from the trail.

害羞草研究所�    43 害羞草研究所� number of cultural and recreational points of interest within 500 metres of the trail.

害羞草研究所�    1 害羞草研究所� number of international airports along the trail.