The idea of matching donations towards the Okanagan Rail Trail is catching on.

Business owners Sandi and David Harder, of Klub Kalamalka, are excited to see the progress of fundraising so far, and especially the Canada Day Matching Funds challenge which ended on July 10.

To support the campaign, Klub Kalamalka is encouraging families at their campground to buy a metre or more, and will match campers' donations up to a total of $5,000.

As a business owner and resident, you can鈥檛 get much closer to the Okanagan Rail Trail than the Harders. The family has operated the Klub Kalamalka campground for more than 50 years, alongside the railway corridor that will soon be converted into a rail trail.

"The Okanagan Rail Trail will be such a gift to local residents and tourism operations," said Sandi. "We all need to get behind this!鈥�

Sandi also informs walkers and cyclists already using the undeveloped corridor that their donations are needed in the trail fundraising campaign.

鈥淭here are hazards on the trail now, and it will not take long for the corridor to deteriorate without a properly designed and managed trail," she said.

Trail ambassador Brad Clements said, "Businesses in 琉璃神社, Lake Country and North Okanagan are starting to come forward with creative ideas, and are welcome partners for the rail trail campaign.鈥�