Francois Langlois, a financial advisor with Manulife Securities, will attempt November 28 to complete the Seven Summits (the highest mountain on each continent) by climbing Mount Vinson in Antarctica. If he succeeds, he will become one of only 170 climbers to have completed the seven top summits.

Langlois, a financial advisor in the Montreal area, volunteers as a guide and leader for several charity expeditions and has raised more than $3.5 million for various childrens’ charities to date.

The Mount Vinson climb is on behalf of the Charles Bruneau Foundation dedicated to the treatment of children fighting cancer while conducting ongoing research to find a cure.

In his early twenties, Langlois had the great fortune to volunteer for an expedition to climb Mount Everest. As he reached the summit and looked out from the peak, Langlois felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. It was at that point that he made a decision to dedicate future climbs to children so that they too could live out their dreams.

“I have had the privilege and honour of living an incredible journey these last 10 years,” Langlois said in a release. “The people I have met, the climbers and trekkers I have guided, the friends for life I have made, and the money for the sick children I have helped raise. I would like to pay special attention to my principal partner, Manulife Securities, in participating with me on my seventh and last summit.”

Rick Annaert, president and CEO of Burlington, Ont.-based Manulife Securities commented: “We’re extremely proud to be able to partner with Francois on his last and final climb. Francois applies many of the principles of climbing to the principles of investing. You have to have a plan, you have to be prudent and you have to be patient. Francois believes each of those things is essential to a successful climb and to being a successful financial planner.” Annaert added, “We wish Francois a safe journey and look forward to seeing him when he returns to Montreal in December.”

Manulife Securities will be tracking Langlois’ journey with daily photos and dispatches starting November 23. These can be viewed at www.manulifesecurities.ca, or on Facebook, and on Twitter.

To make a donation to the Charles Bruneau Foundation, please visit www.charlesbruneau.qc.ca/en/donations.

IE