Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers bid up more than $600,000 on Saturday for KidSport B.C., a community-based sports funding program for financially disadvantaged children, with its annual Corporate Kids Challenge at its South Burnaby headquarters.
Five years running, the event has raised more than $2.4 million for families that can’t afford to enrol their children in sports programs. This year’s donations included $400,000 from the provincial government, presented by Burnaby North MLA Richard T. Lee.
“When it comes to sport, every kid should have the opportunity to play,” stated Lee. “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.”
The all-day event pitted corporate teams against each other in friendly competitions like tug of war and an air band contest, and offered numerous sporting activities for kids. It also featured appearances by some notable athletes, including Olympic snowboarder and Vancouver 2010 gold medallist Maëlle Ricker, Olympic freestyle skier and Sochi 2014 silver medallist Kelsey Serwa, former CFL all stars Angus Reid and Tommy Europe, and three-time ice-dancing Olympian Victor Kraatz.
“Sport has been such an important part of developing me into the person I am today,” said Serwa. “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.”
Last year, KidSport provided funding for more than 6,700 kids in B.C. to participate in sports programs. The organization operates 178 chapters across Canada, 41 of which are based in British Columbia.
“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,” said KidSport B.C. director Pete Quevillon. “On behalf of all our KidSport kids, thank you.”
For more information about the Corporate Kids Challenge, visit rbauction.com/kidschallenge.
