Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 07/02) - Alex Kenny has a future in sales. The Grade 3 student from Weledeh Catholic school raised $2,513, almost half of the total money collected for the third annual Canadian National Institute for the Blind's Walk for Independence in Yellowknife Monday.

Kenny, accompanied by his grandmother, knocked on many doors to collect pledge money for the three- kilometre walk.

"The CNIB has helped me. They give me braille books and showed me how to use my cane," said Kenny, who has been blind since birth.

Some of Kenny's cub troop came out to show their support.

"We knew this was important to Alex," said troop leader Bryan Johnson.

About 17 people participated in the walk, accompanied by friends and family who were delighted by the balmy weather.

Christine Vernon spokesperson of CNIB said the $5,200 raised will go to fund orientation, mobility and life skills training for visually impaired Northerners.

"We usually only raise about $1,500. The fundraising was amazing this year. Everyone brought in more money than last year," said Vernon.