More than $1.3 million raised at Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 28, 2013) -

Editors Note: Two photos for this release will be available on the CP picture wire via Marketwired.

Today, more than $1.3 million was raised by over 1,400 campers (participants), crew and volunteers at the first-ever Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure benefiting SickKids. This up to 20 km challenge-by-choice adventure walk is the first of its kind in Canada.

Families, corporate teams and hospital staff departed from Fort York at 9 a.m. and walked through the streets of downtown Toronto, stopping at seven parks (campsites) along the way to participate in camp-themed activities. Campers built tents, captured the flag, raced in potato sacks, ate s'mores and ended with a closing campfire; all while raising critical funds for The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids).

"At SickKids we focus on caring for and supporting not only the child, but also their family," says Mary Jo Haddad, President and CEO, SickKids. "The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure provides a unique opportunity for the entire family to participate in a day of outdoor fun. The tremendous support of the community is essential to helping fund world-class research, learning and care at SickKids."

This is the first-ever signature event of this scale organized by SickKids Foundation. The Great Camp Adventure is modelled after the hospital's approach to family-centred care and complements the more than 1,000 third-party events held in support of SickKids each year. Funds raised through this event support the Possibilities Fund at SickKids. These critical funds support the core commitments of the hospital and provide support to people, programs, equipment and physical infrastructure that enable SickKids to continue to be a world leader in children's health.

"We are so grateful to our generous sponsors, including title sponsor Canaccord Genuity, and our media partner Corus Entertainment, both of whom have shared our excitement for this unique event from the early planning stages," says Ted Garrard, President and CEO, SickKids Foundation. "It was a thrill for us to look out at the 1,400-person strong crowd at Fort York this morning and we hope to see everyone - and their family and friends - joining us at next year's event on September 27."

"Thank you to everyone who took part in this important event - as a participant, volunteer or through donations and fundraising activities. At Canaccord Genuity, we believe that our most important investments are our children, and supporting healthcare initiatives is at the very core of our charitable efforts," said Paul Reynolds, President and CEO of Canaccord Financial Inc. "My family and I had a great time today and we look forward to participating next year."

The Canaccord Genuity Great Camp Adventure returns to Toronto on Saturday, September 27, 2014. For a limited time only, cabins (teams) can re-register or register for the first time at a reduced rate of $20 for big campers (adults) and $10 for little campers (children). This offer is valid until October 15. To take advantage of this offer or for information, please visit: www.campforkeeps.com.

About SickKids Foundation

Established in 1972, SickKids Foundation raises funds on behalf of The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and is the largest charitable funder of child health research, learning and care in Canada. Philanthropy is a critical source of funding for SickKids -- one of the world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions. For the fiscal year ending March 31, 2013, SickKids Foundation made an unprecedented investment of $92.6 million in children's health, a direct result of generous community and corporate support. For more information, please visit www.sickkidsfoundation.com.

About The Hospital for Sick Children

The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) is recognized as one of the world's foremost paediatric health-care institutions and is Canada's leading centre dedicated to advancing children's health through the integration of patient care, research and education. Founded in 1875 and affiliated with the University of Toronto, SickKids is one of Canada's most research-intensive hospitals and has generated discoveries that have helped children globally. Its mission is to provide the best in complex and specialized family-centred care; pioneer scientific and clinical advancements; share expertise; foster an academic environment that nurtures health-care professionals; and champion an accessible, comprehensive and sustainable child health system. SickKids is proud of its vision for Healthier Children. A Better World. For more information, please visit www.sickkids.ca.

About Canaccord Genuity

Canaccord Genuity is the global capital markets division of Canaccord Financial Inc. (TSX:CF)(LSE:CF), offering institutional and corporate clients idea-driven investment banking, merger and acquisition, research, sales and trading services from offices in 12 countries worldwide. Our team of nearly 1,000 capital markets and advisory professionals has industry and transactional expertise in 18 key sectors of the global economy. We are committed to providing valued services to our clients throughout the entire lifecycle of their business and operating as a gold standard independent investment bank - expansive in resources and reach, but targeted in industry expertise, market focus and individual client attention. For more information, please visit www.canaccordgenuity.com.