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Performer giving it all for Relay

Young ukelele player raising funds for Harrison's Relay for Life
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Matthew Cheverie has been raising funds for the Relay for Life. He'll also be the first entertainer on stage this Saturday when the event kicks off.

A full musical line-up will kick off the first ever Relay for Life in Harrison Hot Springs this Saturday.

Registration and reception will start at 6 p.m., in the tents at the lagoon. Then, the music kicks off with Matthew Cheverie, an amazing 10-year-old ukelele player, at 6:45 p.m. Cheverie is no stranger to the limelight, having performed on many big stages, including Party in Park in Chilliwack and Abbotsford's Got Talent competition.

Cheverie has personally been raising money to help with the event, and on Wednesday, Matthew's father said he has raised about $800. His goal is $1,000.

There will be a 7 p.m. warm up with Stomping Belle's Dance Team, and the Survivor's and Caregivers Victory Lap at 7:15 p.m.

This is the Village's first Relay for Life event, to benefit the Canadian Cancer Society. The relay is similar to the one held in Chilliwack (tonight) at Prospera Centre. Teams will spend the night walking laps of the lagoon, having raised money for the cause.

The relay will end at 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning.

In Harrison, the beginning of the relay will be entertainment-filled, with performances by several local musicians. Ian Schram performs at 7:30 p.m. and Adam Briscoe hits the stage at 7:45 p.m. Then, the stage will go country, with performances by Roger Schmidt, and Harrison's Todd Richard.

Richard is another performer who has put his hand out, in addition to lending a hand. He is part of the team, It Takes a Village, made up of the mayor, some councilors and staff at Harrison Village.

When the sun has completely set, and the lights go down, the very moving luminary ceremony will begin (about 9:45 p.m.)

Personalized luminaries will line the walkway and will be lit in honour of cancer survivors and those who have been lost to cancer.

Luminaries can be purchased at the tent beforehand for $5.

For those participating in the relay, there will be games activities throughout the night.

The event is being sponsored by Life Labs, Scotiabank, Harrison Hot Springs Resort and Spa, Van Houtte Coffee and several media sponsors, including The Agassiz Harrison Hope Observer.

As of Wednesday, the total amount raised for the event was $26,789.

Tim Dixon, relay coordinator, said the goal is to surpass $31,000 by Saturday night.

There are 13 teams registered to walk the relay to date.

They are Anita's Angels, Harrison Resort and Spa, Harrison Hot Springs Communities in Bloom, It Takes a Village, ItsaPia, Jonalena Trelja Rydrre, Lori's Angels, Moo-ving for a Cure, the Nightingales, Redcan, Slo-Mo, Spirit of Life and Team Superbad.

 

 

 

 



Jessica Peters

About the Author: Jessica Peters

I began my career in 1999, covering communities across the Fraser Valley ever since.
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