Hope Classic to celebrate 20th tournament in February

THUNDER BAY -- A local charity event is still going strong after 20 years and more than $2.6 million.

The Bearskin Hope Classic curling bonspiel will return for the 20th time next month. Chair Sue Childs said there are two very good reasons why the event, which starts Feb. 5, has been so successful to help fight breast cancer.

"It's a combination of our sponsors, who have been with us right from the beginning," she said at the Fort William Curling Club Wednesday.

"And it's also to the women of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario who go out and collect pledges faithfully every year."
All of the money stays locally, heading to the Linda Buchan Centre. This year, which is dubbed 20 years of hope, will see 250 curlers. Childs said the bonspiel is all about fun and camaraderie.

"You have to be here to see 250 women having fun," she said.

They also raise a lot of money through pledges and online before the curlers hit the ice.

"Whatever you can do to fight this dreadful disease," she said.

Visit the Hope Classic website to make a donation of find more information. http://www.bearskinairlineshopeclassic.com/