Over $4,500 Raised For Special Olympic Athletes In Charity Lacrosse Game

Over $4,500 was raised at the Cradle for Special Olympics in a friendly lacrosse game between Team Educator/Boro Boys and the Peterborough Lakers at the Peterborough Memorial Centre on Wednesday.

(From left to right) Kristy Wasson, Bill Chapman and Robert Hope in the ceremonial faceoff before the game between the Team Educator/Boro Boys and Peterborough Lakers. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Teachers, the Boro Boys and members of the 1967 undefeated Peterborough PCOs took on the Peterborough Lakers (both past and present) to a 16-16 draw.

Raffles, admission fees and donation boxes contributed to the fundraiser for the one-day event. All proceeds benefit Special Olympic athletes in a variety of ways.

"The money can fund a lot of things,” said Ernie Ellement, Boro Boys founder. “It could be as something as simple as sports equipment to helping some families with registrations."

The annual game was on hold for the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic so having the fundraiser was refreshing for Bill Chapman, Special Olympics coordinator.

"The turnout was fantastic," he said. "It was a fundraiser that I've been to like no other. Peterborough is always a community to go to bat for every organization we have.”

The intermission featured shootouts with the Lakers broadcast crew, Peterborough PCO members and Special Olympic athletes.

Players wore special red socks in honour of the Peterborough Red Stockings as they played the first lacrosse game in town in 1872.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.