Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers raised more than $530,000 for KidSport B.C. at its second annual Corporate Kids Challenge at its Burnaby headquarters on September 10.
"This is the biggest fundraiser of any KidSport chapter in Canada," Pete Quevillon, director of the organization, said in a press release from Ritchie Bros. "The money raised at this event will help close to 2,700 kids participate in a season of sport."
Hundreds of people participated in the event, including Olympian Brian Johns, the release stated.
"I was here last year and it's great to be a part of it again," said Johns. "It's such a great cause and I look forward to being a part of it indefinitely."
Ida Chong, the provincial Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development, presented a cheque to KidSport on behalf of the province for $400,000.
"The government of British Columbia believes in the power of sport and KidSport B.C. helps remove the financial barrier so kids can participate," said Chong in the release.
Twenty-two corporate teams from the Greater Vancouver area competed in games and sports activities including tug of war, an egg and spoon race and an obstacle course.
A Vancouver recruiting firm, WPCG, was the winning corporate team of this year's challenge.
The event included a live auction featuring an Olympic torch and other unique items.
Ritchie Bros. plans to hold the third annual Corporate Kids Challenge in the late summer of 2012.
"At Ritchie Bros. we try to give back by supporting groups that are focused on amateur athletics and youth leadership development," said the company's chief operating officer, Bob Armstrong. "KidSport is all about making sure there are no kids left on the sidelines and that every child gets the chance to play an organized sport."
