At the first bonspiel held in Jim Betteridge’s name last year, Curl for ALS at Powell River Curling Club raised about $4,800. Money raised at the Jim Betteridge Memorial Bonspiel is donated to ALS Society of BC.
Most of the donations last year came from the “generosity of people forking out some money,” said curling club ice-maker Chris Hearder.
Hearder, who co-organizes the annual event with Betteridge’s widow, Nancy, said he hopes even more money will be
raised this year.
Betteridge suffered from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. ALS is a specific disease where the nerve cells that control muscles die. There is no cure.
Gehrig, who played 17 seasons for the New York Yankees in the 1920s and 1930s, was diagnosed in 1939. His farewell speech to Yankee fans is revered and remembered as one of the most noble in sports history.
According to Hearder, Betteridge passed away in 2015 after suffering with ALS for about 18 months. He said Betteridge worked for BC Hydro for many years and his first love was fishing.
“He loved to be out fishing,” said Hearder. “He was in great shape up until ALS got him.”
All money raised at the Curl for ALS event goes into a special “I’d Rather Be Fishing” fund, he added.
Hearder said Betteridge was a good curler at all positions, but he usually played skip.
“He was in the masters play-downs and I think they finished second in the province three or four years ago,” said Hearder.
A maximum of 64 curlers are entered in the bonspiel, but there is a waiting list. Teams are not determined beforehand. Curlers line up prior to the bonspiel and names are drawn out of a hat.
“You don’t know who you’re playing with until the morning of the spiel,” said Hearder. “Curlers play three games with the same team and the most points wins.”
Jim Betteridge Memorial Open Bonspiel takes place at Powell River Curling Club on Saturday, February 18. For more information, go to CURL for ALS on Facebook or call 604.487.1259.
