John Cairns on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa, August 9, 2016. (Photo: submitted)
A Trenton man, a double amputee and founder of Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, will be honoured at the Canada Walk of Fame celebrations.
John Cairns will receive this year’s Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour and a $5,000 honorariam.
Walk of Fame CEO Melanie Hurley says Cairns has a special gift of “inspiring others to believe that anything is possible.”
On November 30, 1992, Cairns was run over by a 68-ton rail car in a work-related accident and lost his right arm and right leg.
Last month, Cairns climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa, raising money for his Foundation.
The presentation will be made at the Walk of Fame celebration in Toronto on October 6.
Cairns is the President and Founder of Wheelchair of Hope Foundation, a registered non-profit organization that delivers wheelchairs and select mobility devices to individuals in the community who otherwise do not have the means to acquire one for themselves.
He is the CEO and Founder of his Motivational Company Voice of Victory, delivering his can-do success message to thousands of people.
In addition, he has served on many committees in his community including The Children’s Foundation, the Highland Shores Children’s Aid Society and the Accessibility Advisory Council for the community.
Cairns has also served as the Past President of Rotary Club of Belleville, Quinte Health Care Board of Directors, Hospital Foundation Board of Directors, Past Chair of Volunteer Information Quinte, and Quinte West Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
The Peter Soumalias Unsung Hero Honour was created in honour of Canada’s Walk of Fame Founding Director, Peter Soumalias, to pay tribute to his dedication and contribution to the recognition of Canadian excellence. This Honour is given annually to recognize a special Canadian whose outstanding work within the arts, culture or sports impacts their community and inspires the next generation.
