Alberta education minister reaches Africa’s tallest peak in memory of murdered sister

A group of 11 people, including Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, has reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, in memory of Nicolaides’ murdered sister. (Supplied/Facebook/Demetrios Nicolaides)

Alberta Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides and a group of 10 other hikers have reached the top of Africa’s highest mountain.

The group summitted Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, as part of a fundraising effort called Melanie’s Ascent, in honour of Nicolaides’ murdered sister.

It took the group eight days to reach the peak, which is approximately 19,340 feet.

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They also reached their fundraising target of $300,000 dollars for FearIsNotLove, to help women facing domestic abuse.

Melanie Nicolaides, 40, was killed by her estranged husband, Kerry Girling, outside a Calgary school two years ago.

Girling later took his own life.

Girling was repeatedly released from court on past charges against her, including sexual assault, and had a no-contact order.

A family tragedy

Before leaving Calgary for the hike, Nicolaides opened up about his family’s tragedy, in an interview with CTV News.

The Calgary-Bow MLA fondly remembered his sister’s strong-willed personality.

“Kilimanjaro was actually something that I had on a bucket list several years ago,” he said.

“I remember telling her about it, and she kind of scoffed and laughed at me and said, ‘What’s the point? Why would you want to do something like that? You’re going to see nothing, then you’re going to come back down.’”

Fundraising goal surpassed

After setting an initial fundraising goal of $100,000, Melanie’s Ascent has now reached the $300,000 mark.

The money will be used to buy home and personal security devices, from doorbell cams to GPS-tracking jewelry, for those facing domestic violence, through FearIsNotLove.

• Melanie’s Ascent: Demetrios Nicolaides leads charity climb in memory of murdered sister

The Kilimanjaro hiking group included Nicolaides’ friends, neighbours and his fellow cabinet minister Todd Loewen.

More information is available at MelaniesAscent.ca.