LACHINE – Curlers hit the rink in Lachine Saturday, to raise money for the Montreal Children‘s and CHU Sainte-Justine‘s hospital funds. It was one of 11 clubs in and around Montreal to host a fundraiser.
The money raised through the Kurling for Kids tournament helps fund cutting-edge medical treatments, programs and equipment for both hospitals, that are unavailable under both hospitals’ current budgets.
“We buy the stuff that they don’t have access to and that the government won’t pay for,” Mike Cormier, one of the Lachine tournament organizers said.
“We fulfill their wishlist,” said Lorelle Chiasson, also an event organzier. “Last year, or the year before, we bought an apparatus that holds the child’s head during an operation for brain surgery.”
Curling for a good cause means the event is popular, and not just among curlers.
“Ninety-five per cent of the people here curl only once a year,” said Chiasson “And it’s at this event.”
If you were at one of the 11 participating rinks you may have spotted a few Global Montreal personalities.
Click here to viewKurling for Kids is now in its 18th year, and it’s come a long way.
The first tournament held in 1999 raised $6,280. The goal for this year’s tourney is $330,000 with over $2.2 million raised overall.
“Not bad for a bunch of no-name curlers, eh?” joked Cormier.
But he’s not one to rest on his laurels.
After seeing some of the equipment the group had purchased in hospital, Cormier admitted that while if felt good to help out, there’s always more work to do.
“It makes you feel good but it makes you see that there’s a lot more to buy.” Cormier said. “We’re not done.”