Jennifer Aunger-Ritchie makes donation to local women’s shelters following Cambodia trek
SMITHS FALLS — A Smiths Falls realtor has turned a physically demanding fundraising trek in Cambodia into direct support for women and children experiencing intimate partner violence at home.
Jennifer Aunger-Ritchie, a realtor with Royal LePage, raised $10,000 for Lanark County Interval House and Community Support (LCIHCS) through the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation after completing a 100-kilometre trek over five days in October 2025. She also donated $5,900 to the Leeds Grenville Interval House.
The trek was part of the Shelter Foundation’s Challenge for Shelter program, which brings together Royal LePage representatives from across Canada to raise funds for women’s shelters and violence prevention programs.
According to the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation, participants cover their own travel costs and commit to fundraising to support organizations in their communities.
LCIHCS confirmed receipt of the funds this week, sharing a Facebook post, and met with Aunger-Ritchie to thank her for the donation.
“We are still in awe of what she accomplished,” the LCIH post reads on Facebook. “Jennifer, your strength, compassion, and commitment to ending gender-based violence inspire us deeply. Thank you for walking every kilometre in solidarity with survivors.”
The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation notes it is the largest public foundation in Canada dedicated exclusively to funding women’s shelters and domestic violence prevention programs. The foundation says 100 per cent of funds raised through its initiatives are directed to Canadian shelters and prevention efforts, with Royal LePage covering administrative costs.
The Cambodia Challenge for Shelter is one of several international fundraising treks organized by the foundation, which has previously hosted similar events in locations including Ecuador, the Sahara Desert and Iceland.
The organization has raised more than $41 million for women’s shelters and violence prevention programs across Canada since 1998. The foundation reports that its Challenge for Shelter trek series has generated more than $6.3 million to date, including approximately $1.6 million raised through the Cambodia Challenge for Shelter held in 2025.
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