September 18, 2014, Vancouver, B.C. – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers recently
hosted its fifth annual Corporate Kids Challenge and raised more than
$600,000 for KidSport BC, a community-based sports funding program that
provides grants for financially disadvantaged children to participate in
amateur sport.
September 18, 2014, Vancouver, B.C. – Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers recently hosted its fifth annual Corporate Kids Challenge and raised more than $600,000 for KidSport BC, a community-based sports funding program that provides grants for financially disadvantaged children to participate in amateur sport.
To-date, the Corporate Kids Challenge has raised more than $2.4 million for KidSport BC, including donations from the Province of B.C. For the event, Ritchie Bros. welcomed Olympic athletes, local celebrities and corporate teams to participate in a series of sports day challenges and capped off the event with a live and silent charity auction. Attending on behalf of the Province of B.C., Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee presented a $400,000 donation to KidSport BC at the event.
"When it comes to sport, every kid should have the opportunity to play," said MLA Richard T. Lee. "Whether it's hockey, soccer, swimming or gymnastics, the benefits a child gains from participating in sport are so essential. Besides being great for our health, sport teaches a child about the value of teamwork, the importance of striving for excellence and, the rewards of discipline and determination. These qualities instilled in a child set the foundation for success in life and ultimately lead to building a stronger and more prosperous province for British Columbians."
For more than 20 years, KidSport has been raising money to help financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized sports; changing thousands of lives in the process. In 2013, KidSport provided funding for 6,700+ kids in B.C., a number they hope to top this year with the help of the money raised by this year's Corporate Kids Challenge.
"This is the single best corporate fundraising event you will ever attend—it's a bold statement, but I guarantee you it's true," said Pete Quevillon, Director of KidSport BC, to the crowd of participants at this year's Corporate Kids Challenge. "This event is for all the boys and girls who wouldn't get a chance to play if it weren't for the generous donations made by the Province of B.C., Ritchie Bros. and all of the other company sponsors here today. On behalf of all our KidSport kids, thank you."
The full-day charity event teamed up Olympic athletes and local celebrities with corporate teams from the Greater Vancouver area. After facing off in a series of sports day challenges, PwC were crowned this year's champion. Among the athletes and local celebrities were Tommy Europe, former CFL all-star and TV show host; Angus Reid, former CFL all-star and a regular on TSN 1040 radio and Global TV; Maëlle Ricker, Olympic snowboarder and Vancouver 2010 gold medalist; Victor Kraatz, National and World Champion and three-time Olympian for ice dancing; and Kelsey Serwa, Olympic freestyle skier and Sochi 2014 silver medalist.
"I've been participating in the Ritchie Bros. Corporate Kids Challenge for the last two years. It's a great event and fun opportunity for us athletes to come out and support something that is near and dear to our hearts," said Kelsey Serwa. "Sport has been such an important part of developing me into the person I am today. When I was a kid I participated in basically every sport that I could—it has taught me how to set goals, dream big and the importance of determination and hard work."
Ritchie Bros. was the host and main sponsor of the event. Other sponsors included Westminster Savings Credit Union, who made a $60,000 donation at the event, as well as Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PwC, Symantec, Heritage, Triple O's, Unity Telecom, WPCG Consulting, Bell, Samsung, ViaSport, Burnaby Firefighters, RBC Capital Markets, Raymond James Ltd. and more.
"In our goal to help the community, our two favourite areas to sponsor are youth amateur athletics and youth leadership development and there's nothing more fitting with those two areas than KidSport," said Bob Armstrong, Chief Strategic Development Officer, Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers. "KidSport helps ensure every child has a chance to get on the field and play. We love hosting this event and I would like to thank all the sponsors, participants and volunteers for helping make this such a huge success."
Ritchie Bros. plans to host the sixth Corporate Kids Challenge in September 2015.
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