—Submitted photo.
DUNNVILLE—Tyler Pilot, a fourth-year Scout with 1st Beamsville Scouting, had some big plans in place for the weekend of April 18 and 19, 2026.
Pilot reached out to The Press ahead of his two-day walk, which would take him from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, explaining, “I will be walking from Port Maitland, through Dunnville, West Lincoln, and Grimsby, ending at 50 Point Conservation (Lake Erie to Lake Ontario). It will be about 52km in total. I am raising money for Brain Injury Canada.”
Born in Grimsby and currently living in West Lincoln, the ninth grader has deep connections to Dunnville, where his mother Amanda grew up and his Oma and Bubba still live.
Pilot’s walk is dedicated to the memory of his Nonno Dario, who passed suddenly from a brain aneurysm in January 2025.
He described his grandfather as a healthy, vibrant man who was willing to help out anyone who needed a hand.
“He was well known for his big smile and cheerful attitude. I am dedicating this walk to him to raise money so other people do not have to lose their loved ones in the same way I did,” shared Pilot.
“He came about everything with a positive attitude and that there was always a peaceful solution to everything,” said Pilot on his favourite thing about his Nonno. “He really inspired me to look at every challenge with a positive point of view and to always use peace to resolve conflict.”
He recalled taking long hikes together with his Nonno and learning about different plants out in the garden.
“Even though he was older, he always tried to live a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy and getting exercise,” said Pilot. “He was always willing to help out, and he was kind and friendly to everyone…. That’s the kind of person I want to be.”
Just as Pilot was inspired by his Nonno, he now inspires others.
“I am so overwhelmingly proud of Tyler for taking on this fundraiser,” said his mother. “I suggested a few shorter, more manageable walking distances, but he insisted that this had to be big. Dario had such a big personality and was an amazing influence on all of his grandkids, and I was not surprised that Tyler felt that this walk had to be exceptional.”
“Losing Dario suddenly to a brain aneurysm was a tragic event for our whole family, and I am proud that Tyler is doing this fundraiser to try to help prevent other families from losing their loved ones in the same way,” she added.
The fundraiser also acted as Pilot’s community service project, a requirement to earn his Chief Scouting Award.
“I wanted to make it a very meaningful thing that would be unique to me, and Nonno was a very important person in my life,” he said. “Mainly, this is about helping other people, without expecting anything in return, which is what my Nonno always did.”
Pilot’s chosen route from Lake Erie to Lake Ontario has special meaning to him.
He started in Haldimand, “where my mom’s parents are from and … Dunnville where she grew up.” The halfway point landed at his home. The finale included 50 Point Conservation, with “a part of the Bruce Trail that Nonno would take us on, down the street on Cline Mountain Road where he used to live, and ending at Lake Ontario.”
As of publication, Pilot has raised $3,500. The fundraiser is available until May 31 at canadahelps.org/en/pages/the-dario-pilot-walk.
