After dipping into a community centre pool every day for the past 23 years, Calgary philanthropist Jim Gray’s journey comes to an end Friday morning.
Gray has been swimming in the Eau Clare YMCA pool, metaphorically swimming the distance from Vancouver to St. John’s.
He has been swimming in the pool for the past 23 years as his way to promote health and wellness in society.
Helene Weir, CEO of YMCA Calgary, says that Gray is a one-of-a-kind individual.
"He's a tremendous advocate for wellness and keeping people of all ages, children and adults, healthy and active and taking self responsibility for our health. He's here every morning at 5:30 in the pool, showing us how it's done."
Weir also calls him an inspiration. "He's an inspiration for all of us and we're taking this time to celebrate Jim and also he's loaning himself to help us kick off our capital campaign. So it's a very exciting day for a lot of us."
Gray has been involved in Calgary for a number of years, chairing the first Petroleum Show in 1966 and serving as chairman of the Canada West Foundation.
He has also been behind a number of local organizations including the Calgary Homeless Foundation.
The YMCA's capital campaign is set to raise $40M to support their current programs and the opening of new facilities in the city.
