The Connaught Skating Club is hosting No One Fights Alone a benefit show on Saturday Jan. 26 for the daughter of one of its longtime instructors.
Melanie Pudlas has taught ballet for Connaught since 1997 and works with the skaters on developing their artistry on the ice. She is a very important part of the Connaught family and also has been teaching ballet out of the Richmond Arts Centre for the past 25 years.
Her husband Don was a teacher in Richmond for 30 years at James Gilmore and Diefenbaker elementary schools. He retired two years ago and now teaches piano.
Their daughter Angela was diagnosed with stomach cancer last year. She is a young mother of two small children and lives with her family in Mission where her husband is a minister.
It is our honour to help her family in their time of need, said Connaught vice-president Aundrea Feltham. We are creating and performing this show in honor of the determination and fight against cancer. It is our hope that this benefit will help this young family continue to fight and heal from this disease.
All proceeds from the show will go to a special beneficiary. Any additional donations made will go directly to the family and/or a cancer foundation of their choice.
The show will involve 65 Connaught skaters including various provincial, national and international competitors.
Tickets are currently on sale for $10 and can be purchased online at www.coastregistry.com/events/connaught. They also will be available at the door. It gets underway at 6 p.m.
