Wallenda: 'We got the attention of the world, but no one is stepping up'

Daredevil campaigns for donations online because he says local businesses aren't coming through with sponsorships

by Peter Conradi/Bullet News

Nik Wallenda says his mind isn't where it needs to be.

The famed 33-year-old daredevil who in two weeks will attempt to cross the Horseshoe Falls on a tightrope, is disappointed and surprised local businesses aren't embracing his event as enthusiastically as he'd hoped. And that has him stressed.

"I'm worrying about the finances and I should be thinking about the walk," Wallenda told Bullet News. "It's disheartening. A lot of people said they were behind us when we were trying to get the walk approved. Well, where are they now? They're not stepping up and they need to step up. They need to get involved because this isn't cheap. This is costing me a lot of money and I don't want to come away from this with a mortgage."

Wallenda figures the walk is going to cost him almost $1.3 million by the time he has paid for security requirements and safety teams - which he used as selling points to convince the Niagara Parks Commission to break with tradition and allow the walk to take place. However, Wallenda said only about $800,000 has been raised, including money from his contract with ABC, which will broadcast the June 15 walk live in a three-hour special.

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