UPEI Basketball Raises over $1000 for "Boys in Red"
The UPEI Men's basketball team this past weekend wore red shoelaces in memory of the members of the Bathurst High School boys' basketball team, who died in a tragic accident earlier this year.
Members from both the men's and women's UPEI basketball teams went through the stands and collected over $525 for two scholarships set up to honor the memory of the seven boys and teacher Elizabeth Lord, who also died in the accident. This amount will double before it is donated, thanks to the generosity of UPEI.
'It is wonderful to see members of the men's and women's UPEI basketball teams raise over $525 for the Boys in Red. The University is pleased to support our basketball teams' initiative for this very worthy cause and congratulates the team players for their leadership and compassion,' says Dr. Vianne Timmons, Vice-President of Academic Development.
Fifth-year player Jared Budd was the Panther who stepped forward and made the event come together. A native of New Brunswick, he played against Bathurst High during his high school years.
'After hearing about the tragedy, I tried to put myself in their shoes, and I just felt compelled to do something to help out. When I heard about the scholarship fund, I e-mailed Coach, and that got the ball rolling. I'm very grateful to Dr. Timmons and UPEI. Many people came together to make this worthwhile cause possible. Our hearts and prayers are with the Bathurst community,' says Budd.
"I'm very proud of Jared Budd and everyone else involved in this fundraiser for their strong desire to honour the Bathurst boys' basketball team," says Panthers Head Coach Matthew Davis. "Our thoughts and prayers will continue to go out to those affected. I hope that this effort will help keep those who passed in everyone's hearts."
The money will be passed on to the Boys in Red scholarship fund, set up at CIBC locations across the country, to benefit the families of the boys. It will also be used for the Elizabeth Lord Scholarship set up for Bathurst High School students.
