Central Peace-Notley MLA Todd Loewen will join Alberta’s minister of education on an eight-day climb in Africa to raise money for domestic violence support.
Loewen and Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides will begin the climb on Wednesday. The initiative, called Melanie’s Ascent, honours Nicolaides’ sister, Melanie, who was killed in a domestic violence incident in January 2024. Her ex-husband then took his own life.
Nicolaides came up with the idea to climb Mount Kilimanjaro nearly a year ago, Loewen said.
“I thought that it was very inspirational that he would think of doing this to try and help out other people that are maybe going through the same things that his sister went through,” Loewen said.
Loewen said all funds raised from the hike will go to the FearIsNotLove fundraiser to support people affected by domestic violence.
“The funds from this in particular will go to a program that will provide victims of domestic violence with ways to protect themselves,” Loewen said. “There is jewellery that they have that you can push a button on it to get help if necessary.”
Loewen said the trip is being paid for out of their own pockets. Climbers plan to ascend the mountain, which will take about six days, and then spend two days descending.