By Jenny Byford

Freezing, but fun. The fifth annual Family Fishing Derby for Kids with Cancer was held this past Family Day (Feb. 10) at Horseshoe Lake and raised $20,470.48 for local families in need.

Temperatures were crisp, but Kootenay folks are resilient as about 2,000 participants and volunteers joined in for the many activities. Participants came from every corner of the region.

Highlights of the day included a fun shooting and archery gallery for the kids, hockey with the Kimberley Dynamiters and great silent auction prizes.

Terry Hart was the grand prize derby winner whose 54cm catch won him a 12’ Lund fishing boat and trailer generously donated by Fab Rite Services Ltd. Ray Kelly, Josh Pocha, Pat Walkey, and Rob Keown were the runners-up in the adult category, and Dawn Keim won a whopping $2,792 from the 50/50 draw.

Though the adults were more than happy with their prizes, the loudest cheers of excitement came from the kids’ prize category.

Thanks to the great community sponsors, this ‘all about the kids’ event really delivered! Seven-year-old Logan Hong’s lucky reel caught him a 42.5cm fish and a 55” television and PlayStation 4 kindly donated by Caliper Machine & Hydraulics Ltd. As the first prize winner, Logan also received the Bill Moffat Memorial Trophy. Two-year Avery Phillips placed second with a catch of 36cm.

The derby was also fortunate enough to have some incredibly brave cancer fighters and survivors at the event. One of whom was Makayla Munro who was the draw winner of a trip to Disneyland from Dacota Freight Services Ltd and $1,000 spending money from the derby. This year Makayla also won the Most Sportsmanlike trophy in memory of beloved Mira Morrison. Another brave fighter is Rhylie Hurley who won a Sunshine Houseboat vacation package for her and her family.

Though the list of winners keeps going. Jaxon Sisley won an awesome Sweet Gestures chocolate dessert for his first place decorated toboggan, while furry family members Izzy Macdonald and Dobi Hollingshead won first and second for being the best dressed dogs. All of the kids who participated in the tug-o-war, beanbag toss, and decorating activities also received some great prizes.

The Family Fishing Derby is incredibly thankful for the fantastic and generous community supporters and many volunteers and local clubs who donated their time and talent to make this event possible. An excellent commemoration to Family Day, the proceeds from this event will be helping local families most in need with emergency cancer travel costs and treatments.

As a special note, the derby this year marked the passing of a great friend Scotty Morrison. The derby was first created in memory of Scotty’s wife Mira who lived her life embodying the concept ‘all about the kids’, and after a brave battle with cancer, Scotty joined his lovely wife earlier this year.

The derby is uniquely special for many reasons, one being to honour good friends and meet new ones. Each year the derby continues to grow and evolve attracting new participants, volunteers, and much-need sponsors from across the Kootenay area. It is an event that rallies Kootenay communities together, provides an opportunity for some outdoor fun, and most importantly, helps children and their families in their time of need. Thank you to everyone who participated and see you next year!

Adult fish

1st Terry Hart -54cm (12’Lund boat and trailer donated by Fab Rite Services Ltd)

2nd Ray Kelly

3rd Josh Pocha

4th Pat Walkey

5th Rob Keown

Kid’s fish

1st Logan Hong- 7yrs 42.5cm (55” tv and playstation 4 donated by Caliper Machine & Hydraulics Ltd and the Bill Moffat Memorial trophy)

2nd Avery Phillips 2yrs 36cm

DISNEYLAND TRIP to a child with cancer-donated by Dacota Freight Service Ltd – Makayla Munro and Family (Lead image above with Shane Westle, fishing derby organizer.)

Sunshine Houseboat Package to a child with cancer- donated by Sunshine Houseboats- Rhylie Hurley

Most Sportsmen like – Makayla Munro and family (Mira Morrison Memorial Trophy)

Best Decorated Toboggan – Jaxon Sisley

Best Dressed Dog

1st Izzy Macdonald

2nd Dobi Hollingshead

50/50 – Dawn Keim $2,792

THANKS TO HUNDREDS OF GREAT SUPPORTERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN OUR COMMUNITY!

Please click on an image to enlarge and to begin self-directed slide show.

NOTE: A more thorough photo presentation will soon be available at Through My Eyes Photography’s Facebook site (https://www.facebook.com/myeyesphoto ) .

Photos by Carrie Schafer and Ian Cobb/e-KNOW & Through My Eyes Photography

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