There’s a clear leader in the Heroes Shave It Off fundraiser, who has raised hundreds more than his opponents, but that could all change.
So far, Stacy Restiaux of Bannister GM, has raised $2,175. Well ahead of the nine other contestants, with Don Mutter of the Young Uns having raised $900 and Aaron Nasipayko from Sunlife Financial who has raised $360. Vernon’s Mayor Akbal Mund is holding up the end with only having raised $25 so far.
Each of the 10 contestants has a goal to raise $5,000 for brain cancer research in the name of Vernon’s Melissa Gobbett, who had been organizing the event and passed away from the disease in April.
The top three fundraisers will have their heads shaved off at the Downtown Vernon Sunshine Festival Saturday, June 18.
While the numbers currently dictate who might be going bald next month, that could all change with some upcoming fundraisers.
“I have some game changers,” said organizer Lindsay James. “These other two events leading up to it will change the game. We’re going to take all the money raised and dump it onto one of the contestants who doesn’t show up to help.”
The first event, this Friday, is An Amazing Race, hosted by Olive Us from 4:30 to 8 p.m.
Teams, comprised of two or more members, will be racing against each other on a trek around Vernon for approximately two hours. At every destination, each team must compete in a series of challenges, some mental and some physical and some a little silly and only when the tasks are completed will they learn of their next location. Teams who are the farthest behind will gradually be eliminated as the contest progresses, with the first team to arrive at the final destination winning an amazing Olive Us Basket of goodies. Registration for teams of two to four people will be $15 per person and for teams over five people will be $10 per person.
Then June 11, the Green hosts a pub night with the Young Uns. The event will be free and there will be door prizes, raffles, 50/50 and more to raise money towards the cause.
But anyone who is interested in seeing a particular contestant shave it off can donate in their name at vernonheroes.ca.
The other contestants are Landon John MacKay from Vernon Dodge, Heath Fletcher of Sproing Creative, Andrew McWilliam of Ratio Coffee and Pastry, Linda McGrew who is an independant business consultant, Pete Solymosi from White House Mortgages and Aaron Himelson from Sun FM.