The third annual Touch a Truck event is coming soon.
The popular fundraising event is orchestrated each year by the Team 4 Hope, a group of women spearheading the fight against childhood cancer by running and hosting fundraisers for Neuroblastoma research.
The team, which was founded in 2011 by Lisa Hopkins, is the leading fundraiser in Western Canada for Neuroblastoma research. It was started because Lisa’s 14-year-old son Jordan was diagnosed with neuroblastoma when he was only two-years-old.
“When Jordan was diagnosed the one thing I remember when I asked about the odds of him beating it was the doctors telling me, ‘well there’s always hope.’ That’s always stuck with me so on the 10 year anniversary of his diagnosis I decided to start the Team 4 Hope,” she explained in a previous interview with the PNR.
The Touch a Truck event is one of the biggest and most favourite events the Team puts on each year, explained Colette Hopkins, a team member.
The event features vehicles of all kinds on display in Panorama Recreation Centre’s parking lot including police cruisers, fire trucks, ambulances, excavators, cement trucks and an ice resurfacer.
“Our team raised over $45,000 last year [during our fundraisers] which takes our grand total to over $200,000 over the past three years,” said Colette Hopkins, a team member, adding that the team gave out their first $50,000 grant last summer to a researcher at B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation and will be giving out two more this year.
A barbecue sponsored by Fairway Market and other activities will also entertain attendees at Touch a Truck as well as a special appearance by Brentwood Bay native and NHL player Matt Irwin, who plays with the San Jose Sharks.
“As an athlete giving back to the community that raised you and supports you is one of the most important and gratifying parts of my job. It is very satisfying to be able to reach out to my community and help in any way I can, “ said Irwin of the event.
Touch a Truck takes place Sunday, June 22 at Panorama Recreation Centre from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tickets are available at www.team4hope.com or at Kiddin’ Around in Sidney (9769 Fifth St.)
Cost is $15 for family in advance ($20 at the door) or $5 for a single ticket.
Visit www.team 4hope.com for more information on other fundraisers.
reporter@peninsulanewsreview.com