Vernon Resident Pledges Big Support For Trail

A retired Vernon businessman has made a big donation to the Okanagan Rail Trail.

George Galbraith actually made two donations at an event at Kekuli Bay Provincial Park, as explained by Trail Ambassador Brad Clements.

“One is a donation in honour of his parents and grandparents who have been long time residence of the Okanagan. He gave $150,000 in honour of them,” Clements tells Kiss FM.

Galbraith also pledged another $150,000 for a matching campaign.

Photo: George Galbraith, (2nd from left) with help from 4 year old grandson Oscar, kick off spring fundraising by presenting a $150,000 donation to Leanne Hammond of Community Foundation of North Okanagan and Rail Trail Ambassadors, and pledge an additional $150,000 to match donations before July 1.

“Both sets of my grandparents, John and Frances Galbraith and Harold and Effie Ewer, were pioneers in the Okanagan in the early 1900’s,” says Galbraith. “My parents, Harold and Lillian Galbraith, similarly worked in the Okanagan and contributed greatly to the community. It is an honour to donate to the Okanagan Rail Trail in their memory.”

Clements says it’s one of the largest individual donations to the fund which has raised over 4 million dollars of the 7.8 million dollar trail cost.

“His massage was ‘Let’s finish the trail,’ meaning let’s all pitch in and give what we can so we can get the trail built, so that in his words, that he can walk the trail with his kids and his grand kids,” adds Clements.

The 49 kilometre trail runs between Coldstream and Coldstream.

Undeveloped parts are now open to the public, but the finished trail is expected to be completed by next year.