An annual lawn bowling event includes awards for things like best dressed, but the true winner is the War Amps.
The July 1 event in Oak Bay includes two teams, Red versus Blue, in a battle for the title and to raise funds for the CHAMP (Child Amputee) program. This year, Red came out ahead by one point, and the CHAMP program $7,000 ahead thanks to 66 bowlers and 17 croquet players, local businesses and an anonymous matching donor.
“The Canada Day tournament is one of the best-supported events at our club,” the organization said in a news release. “Members are guaranteed a ‘do over’ to correct a missed shot with the purchase of one of our popular ‘insurance’ coupons. The format for the day is ‘sides’ with all play contributing to the scores of either the Red or the Blue, in pursuit of bragging rights and the year-long display of the winning side’s pennant on the Bulldog Banner.”
“The goal of the day is clearly to have fun while raising funds for the CHAMP program,” the club said. “This year was special in so many ways. It was the 50th year of the CHAMP program and it was the first year we’ve had CHAMPs in attendance at the tournament. We were delighted to host Evan and Sophie this year, two CHAMPs with their families who enthusiastically accepted our donation cheque of $7,360.
CHAMP serves Canadian children born without a limb or who have lost a limb due to an accident or medical causes, offering comprehensive services to both the child and their family.
“We sure did break our record again this year. We have been raising money for CHAMPs for more than 25 years and donate more to CHAMPs than any other of the 97 bowling clubs across Canada. Ideas are already percolating about more ways to raise funds for next year’s CHAMP fundraising tournament.”
