Boccia For The Kids raises $35K

Boccia for the Kids participants Donald Jackson, Bill Moore and JP Aarts. (Submitted photo)

More than $30,000 has been raised through a unique fundraiser in support of children and youth in Chatham-Kent.

The Boccia for the Kids tournament was held on November 15 at the John D. Bradley Convention Centre, with proceeds going to the Children’s Treatment Centre Foundation of Chatham-Kent.

The event featured friendly yet competitive boccia play. The “Quinte Leatherbacks” took home the tournament championship following a series of round-robin and playoff matches.

Boccia is a Paralympic precision sport similar to lawn bowling or curling, fully adaptable so players of all abilities can compete side-by-side.

A total of $35,000 was raised through Boccia for the Kids, which will directly support essential programs that are not covered by government funding. This includes social work, therapeutic recreation, and music therapy for the more than 5,000 children who receive care each year at the Children’s Treatment Centre.