The Paul Henderson Hockey Marathon of Hope is approaching its 10th anniversary, and the charity fundraiser has amassed some impressive numbers over the course of its decade-long run in Abbotsford.
Over the nine previous editions, the marathon – which brings together 64 players to play for 10 hours at the Centre Ice hockey rinks – has raised over $400,000, including $72,000 last year.
The 2014 event runs Sept. 6, with each participant pledging to raise at least $1,000 that will go toward two local non-profit organizations – Doing Family Right, a Christian ministry to strengthen families, and the Imani Orphan Care Foundation, which operates facilities in Kenya.
“Any time you have an event that can sustain for 10 years, especially when you have Paul Henderson supporting it, it’s incredible,” said organizer Geoff Lee of the Imani foundation.
“It’s a real testament to the local hockey community, because most of the guys who play are local.”
Henderson, the Canadian hockey legend who scored the game-winning goal in the 1972 Summit Series against the Soviet Union, has supported the marathon fundraiser from the beginning. He’s been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in recent years, and won’t be attending this year’s event in person. But he will make an appearance at the evening banquet to speak to the crowd via FaceTime.
The hockey marathon still has room for 13 more participants. To register or for more information, visit hockeymarathonofhope.com.