Richmond hockey kids lose hair, raise funds for B.C. Children's

Hockey’s stars of tomorrow created yet another buzz in Steveston Village on Saturday with their eighth annual head shave for sick children.

The Richmond Jets, joined by the Richmond Ravens, raised $18,000 in support of B.C. Children’s Hospital and donated locks of hair for cancer patients after shaving their heads at Steveston Barbers and Shay’s Studio on Chatham Street. Their total donation tally reached six figures and now sits at $113,000.

“It was another great year for the head shaving/donating community event,” and the amount raised by two dozen participants is “pretty impressive” said Cody Kusch, vice-president with the Jets minor hockey organization.

The fundraiser created many memories and highlights, said Kusch.

The youngest participant was three-year-old Jayden Wi.

There was also a three-generation head shave, with grandpa Barry So, father Jerome So and kids Aidan and Jenna So participating.

Normally seen confining people to the penalty box, head referee Don Mathewson shaved his head and full beard.

Barber Ryan Lewis got in on the action as well.

Kusch especially thanked Jerome So and Bobby Atwal for donating Canucks jerseys and pictures to bolster the fundraiser.

Last spring, Seafair Minor Hockey Association (Islanders) and Richmond Minor Hockey Association (Blues) merged to become one minor hockey association — the Richmond Jets Minor Hockey Association.

The Jets are the largest minor hockey association in B.C. with 1,150 players, said Kusch.

B.C. Children’s Hospital is public-funded but also depends on donations through its foundation to enhance care. It states about 86,000 children are treated there each year.