Realtors from across Canada are ready to step up for charity.

On the eve of the bi-annual Royal LePage National Sales Conference in Vancouver this weekend, a group of 60 Royal LePage agents and brokers from across Canada will test their physical fitness on one of the region's toughest slices of real estate all for a good cause.

The group will climb the Grouse Grind - coined "Mother Nature's Stairmaster" - and raise funds in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation.

The program is Canada's largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting women's shelters and helping to end family violence.

Since 1998, agents, brokers and staff from across the country have raised more than $14 million to fund women's shelters and grassroots violence prevention programs in every province.

The "Grouse Grind 4 Shelter" was conceived by Sebastian Albrecht, a Vancouver sales representative. Albrecht holds the record for the most number of ascents of the Grouse Grind in one day.

In 2010, he climbed the Grouse Grind 14 times and raised over $20,000 in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation. This summer, he challenged his colleagues from across the country to participate in the Grouse Grind 4 Shelter and raise funds for the shelter foundation.

The Grouse Grind covers 2.9 kilometres and features an elevation gain of 853 metres. Participants have already raised $20,000 through pledges. One hundred percent of the donations go to support women's shelters in communities across Canada where the participants are from.

"The tradition of fundraising in support of the Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is alive and well at our National Sales Conference this year," said Shanan Spencer-Brown, executive director of the shelter foundation.

"It's incredible that amongst the learning, sharing and networking that takes place, Royal LePage agents and brokers have raised over $1 million at our conferences to help abused women and children across the country."

In addition to the Grouse Grind 4 Shelter, at this year's national conference - where the company officially kicks off celebrations in honour of next year's 100th year anniversary - 800 conference goers will participate in a variety of events including live and silent auctions, a golf tournament, trolley rides, whisky tastings and other activities in support of the Shelter Foundation's mission to help end family violence.

The Royal LePage Shelter Foundation is Canada's largest public foundation dedicated exclusively to supporting women's shelters and ending violence against women and children.

Through agent commission donations and the fundraising activities of the Royal LePage network, we have raised over $14 million since 1999 to help provide a safe haven and new beginnings to more than 30,000 women and children each year. All funds raised by Royal LePage offices remain in their local community.

For more information, visit www. royallepage.ca/shelter.