Itâs the 11th year of Bats for a Cause, and the rivalry between passionate fundraisers is getting a twist this season.
Mike Bridge, whoâs fund-raised for eight of the seasons, has a competitive streak going with fellow fundraiser Greg Macfarlane. The two use their friendly rivalry to raise as much as possible for the event, and it all gets donated to BC Childrenâs Hospital.
âI have friends that have used the hospital, and they have nothing but good things to say. They put a lot of time and effort (into this), and itâs a lot of fun to be around,â said Bridge.
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This year, Bridges fundraising goal is $10,000, and heâs getting a new twist this year with his co-workers challenge to raise and additional $10,000. If Bridge is successful, co-worker Mike Delbucchia will shave his head and beard.
âHe said he loves what (us) goings are doing,â said Bridge, who said that Delbucchia also hasnât seen a barber in quite some time.
Bridge lives on the Westside and said that the fundraiser has been growing in teams every year with invited teams coming from Peachland and West Âé¶čAV. Heâs brought in six teams personally, and there are 20 teams currently registered.
He said that there could be 30 to 35 teams when the tournament starts July 27 at Mission Sports Field.
âIâd love to bring in more teams and grow the tournament to 50 to 60 teams,â said Bridge. âTwo divisions which are a lot of fun, with wooden bats. Itâs not about winning or losing, itâs all about the kids and raising money and having fun.â
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Since the Bats for A Cause started there has been more than $635,000 raised, with more than $141,000 being raised last year.
The fundraiser invites all levels of teams to register, but .
Bridge organizes empty cans and bottle collections, beer and burger nights at Edgewater Pub in Peachland, and even has family in the Lower Mainland gathering collections for the Âé¶čAV fundraiser to meet his $20,000 goal, which comes with an added bonus of coworker Delbucchia getting a new summer haircut.
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As for his rivalry with Macfarlane, Bridge admits heâs behind in the race, but isnât worried.
âWe have a lot of fun with banter over the year, heâs leading right now, but I got a few tricks up my sleeve.â
Visit Bridgeâs or go to bcchf.ca/batsforacause for more information.
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