At noon on Friday, May 18, 2012, the Peterborough Fire Department used their aerial ladder to raise Penny Parent, local REALTOR®, to the rooftop of Sears Canada at Lansdowne Place where she would spend the next 48 hours, raising money and awareness for breast cancer research. Her event–called “Penny on the Roof”–was one of four simultaneous multi-charity fundraising events held that weekend as part of Peterborough Cares.
The Peterborough Cares initiative was founded by Penny’s husband of 25 years, Camille. It was his idea to have several fundraising events on the same the weekend joined together by one umbrella but located at various popular shopping locations across the city. Camille hopes to make Peterborough Cares an annual event.
“It was pretty hot,” Penny told The Peterborough Examiner with a laugh. “I made sure I had lots of water and sunscreen. I had my umbrella for shade. But it was a great experience and worth every minute of it. I did it for an important cause. The support was wonderful. I had people driving by and honking their horns. I heard a few creepy noises throughout the night but that was about it. I would do it again.”
Penny was motivated to make a difference by close friends touched by breast cancer. Although the total count has not been completed yet, it is estimated that the event raised close to $4,000 for breast cancer treatment at Peterborough Regional Health Centre.
Pictured: Penny being raised to the roof by the Peterborough Fire Department.
