The Anneswer to Cancer annual fundraising soccer tournament brought in a record $60,000 to support end-of-life care at Victoria Hospice and set a new Canadian record for the most consecutive soccer passes.
The fourth annual fundraiser was started by Brett Hyslop and Steph Steiner of World Cup Soccer Camp in memory of Steiner’s’s mother, Anne, who died at Victoria Hospice in 2010.
The event brings out hundreds of children, youth and families for a day of fun and fundraising. The event is run by volunteers and raises funds for Victoria Hospice while raising awareness about mesothelioma, a cancer caused by asbestos exposure.
This year, organizers attempted to break the Guinness World Record for most consecutive soccer passes of more than 12 yards. They came up about 100 people short for the world record, but set a new Canadian record. Hyslop and Steiner intend to try for the world record again next year.
Players raised money through pledges, door-to-door canvassing, bakes sales, and online fundraising.
After the event wrapped up, donor Rudi Hoenson – impressed with the children’s fundraising efforts – stepped in with a $6,000 donation to bring the total to more than $60,000.
Anneswer to Cancer has raised over $170,000 since it began in 2011.