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TORONTO, May 2, 2017 /CNW/ - Kids Help Phone's Walk so Kids Can Talk presented by BMO marks 16 years of fundraising at this year's May 7^th events. Canada's largest charity walk in support of children and youth, the annual event is expected to bring together thousands of Canadians at over 37 locations across the country. Last year, over 10,000 people registered to walk, raising over $3.5 million for the cause.

Kids Help Phone is Canada's only 24/7 counselling and information service for young people, offering free, bilingual, confidential and anonymous telephone and Live Chat counselling from professionally qualified staff. Much of the revenue needed to maintain this valuable service is raised through the annual walk.

"BMO is a founding partner of Kids Help Phone and has been a proud sponsor of this annual walk for five years. We're here to help and we continue to deepen our commitment to the social and emotional well-being of young people from every community in Canada," said Joanna Rotenberg, Group Head, BMO Wealth Management. "For 200 years now, BMO has been actively supporting communities. This walk is a good example of how we can make a difference and ensure Kids Help Phone's professional counselling services are always there to help youth persevere through even the toughest circumstances."

"The Walk so Kids Can Talk presented by BMO is Kids Help Phone's single largest annual fundraising event, enabling Kids Help Phone's services to always be open for young people," said Sharon Wood, President and CEO, Kids Help Phone. "Hundreds of young people in Canada reach out to us every day for counselling and information, seeking help and hope from a trusted ally. It is essential for our national charity to always be open for young people who need support in their moments of crisis or need – no matter where they are or what time it is. The Walk is a day for communities across Canada to join together and demonstrate to young people that it's okay to reach out, and that Kids Help Phone is there for them."

For those who are interested in making a contribution or signing up for this year's Walk, please visit http://walksokidscantalk.ca/ to register or donate, and join the social conversation using #WalksoKidsCanTalk.

LOCATIONS

WHEN: Sunday, May 7, 2017

*All times local

Virtual Walks:

Alberta: Grand Prairies, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Red Deer
British Columbia: Prince George
Manitoba
New Brunswick: Saint John
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nova Scotia
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Ontario: Brantford, Burlington-Milton, Huntsville, Sudbury, Thunder Bay
Prince Edward Island
Quebec
Saskatchewan
Yukon
U.S.A.

About BMO Financial Group
Established in 1817, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $692 billion as of January 31, 2017, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

About Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is a charity that provides counselling and referrals as the only national helpline for young people. Since 1989, it has offered kids and teens hope and support through its confidential and anonymous service. As an organization that speaks with young people every day, Kids Help Phone works to share their perspectives and improve their well-being on a societal level. Kids Help Phone raises the majority of its revenue from individuals, foundations, corporations, and community fundraising.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group