Ken Coward has so far raised more than $1,000 for the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Foundation in his pursuit for a picture of actor David Tennant, who is in Sidney as part of his role in the production of Gracepoint, an upcoming television series.
Coward, principal of Holy Cow Communication Design, wanted to get a picture with Tennant, and perhaps an autograph. But instead of approaching the British actor directly, which would have been way too easy, he spent two months constructing a plywood and medium-density fibreboard replica of the TARDIS, a fictional time machine from Doctor Who, a popular British science-fiction TV show.
He did so because Tennant played the 10th Doctor on the show.
The blue booth, which resembles a British police call box, takes up the balcony of his third-floor office on Beacon Avenue, clearly visible from the street. His hope was that Tennant will see the TARDIS as he gets shuttled back and forth from the Gracepoint set and want to stop by for a look and perhaps a selfie.
“We wanted to do some good and have fun at the same time,” said Coward. “It’s nice to do something different.”
So far the actor hasn’t dropped by, but just about every Doctor Who fan in Victoria has come calling.
“We get around 10 Doctor Who fans a day,” he said. “There’s something about standing in front of it.”
People take pictures with the 2.6-metre high and 1.2-metre wide booth by donation, with the proceeds benefiting the Saanich Peninsular Hospital Foundation, a client of his since 2005. People are also starting to inquire about having the replica at parties and functions.
Even though his quarry has so far eluded him, Coward says he’s still hopeful he’ll get the picture before the actor wraps up filming in the capital region.
For more information, go to holycowcom.com or sphf.ca.
Legislature vigil for HIV/AIDS tonight
The Vancouver Island Persons Living with HIV/AIDS Society are hosting a candlelight memorial vigil on the steps of the legislature tonight to remember the people that have been lost to HIV and to honour those still living with the disease.
“It’s been 33 years that the world has been living with HIV, and it’s important that this tradition of lighting candles in remembrance continue,” said Warren Bailey, director of programs of the society. “Many in the public may believe that with better treatments that HIV has gone away. We’re here to say that it hasn’t and that many vibrant people are still affected by the virus.”
There will be guest speakers, music, as well as blessings and drumming by representatives from local First Nations.
People are invited to participate, light a candle and provide support.
The memorial starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, go to vpwas.com or call 250-382-7927.
Belmont students host BBQ fundraiser
Leadership students at Belmont Secondary School are hosting a barbecue fundraiser for a Grade 12 community member next Saturday. Zack Downey is an 18-year old who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2012.
Although Downey doesn’t attend the school anymore, the friendships there remain.
“He went to Lambrick Park for the baseball academy because he is a phenomenal pitcher,” said Danielle Hucalak, leadership teacher at Belmont. “His sister goes to Spencer Middle School and a lot of his friends are still connected with him.”
When she mentioned Downey’s plight to her class, they immediately expressed a desire to help. Students, like Tamara Bonsdorf, Grade 12, had read about Zack’s story earlier in the year and was moved by the fact that he should be graduating.
This last week the leadership students at the school have been busy last week creating large posters to promote the event.
Select Mortgages has offered to sponsor the event by providing food at no charge.
People who cannot attend can still donate at any Coast Capital Savings branch. A fund has been established in his name.
People can also donate returnable bottles at any Bottle Depot location in Greater Victoria, where an account has been set up in his name.
The barbecue features hot dogs and beverages by donation. It runs 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., May 24 at the business, 3212 Jacklin Rd. (corner of Sooke Road). For more information, go to belmont.sd62.bc.ca.
Students raising funds for dry grad
A group of students from Spectrum Community School are holding a market today to raise funds towards their dry grad celebration as well as creating awareness to teenage drunk driving.
“Graduation should be a time of joy and celebration, rather than tears and sadness,” said Eden Lowther, a student involved with the event. “At Spectrum we feel (awareness about) drunk driving especially among teenagers is immensely important. We feel that raising money for our dry grad will bring more attention to the fact that it is a safe, yet fun option for grads — and will hopefully bring awareness of the effects of driving under influence.”
The Spec’s DG (Dry Grad) Market will offer baked goods, jams and jellies from 10 a.m. to noon today in front of Pearkes Recreation Centre, 3100 Tillicum Rd.
Charity BBQ raises more than $5000
Last week the Greater Victoria M&M Meat Shops raised more than $5,000 for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada at their 25th annual Charity BBQ Day. Nationally, the more than 400 locations across Canada raised over $1 million.
Locally, politicians as well as Mac Voisin, the founder of the company, joined the party by greeting the public and flipping a few burgers.
Hundreds of franchisees and staff, and thousands of volunteers across the country grilled hot dogs and hamburgers to support research on Crohn’s and Colitis. The bowel and intestinal disease affects over 200,000 Canadians and there is no known cause or cure.
To date, the event has raised more than $25 million for research programs. For more information, go to mmmeatshops.com.
Mardi Gras raises more than $18,000
The Rotary Club of Oak Bay raised over $18,000 at their Mardi Gras Madness event last week.
Over 200 Rotarians and their guests attended the annual fundraising event. They were treated to a traditional New Orleans dinner, catered by the Monterey Recreation Centre, followed by a live auction.
The event was supported by over 80 local businesses and organizations, including the Municipality of Oak Bay, the Parks and Recreation Commission and members of the Interact Club of Oak Bay High School.
The funds raised by this event will support Oak Bay Community Youth Projects. For more information, go to oakbayrotary.com.
Donations aid Victoria Hospice
Two recent donations will help the Victoria Hospice continue to provide end-of-life care to its clients:
• Members of hospice’s Palliative Response Team received keys to a new vehicle on Thursday, a gift from Dick and Linda Auchinleck.
The couple donated $53,000 to pay for the vehicle and one year’s operating costs. The new vehicle will carry nurses, counselors and physicians who may have to travel to Sidney or Metchosin any time of the day or night to assist patients who are dying at home.
“May is Hospice and Palliative Care month. The Auchinlecks’ generous gift is certainly a wonderful way to celebrate end-of-life care,” said Mischelle vanThiel, CEO for Hospice. “Donations fund almost half of Hospice’s annual operating costs, so generous donations like those from Dick and Linda help ensure that Hospice care will be available for our community when they need it.”
The new vehicle, outfitted with four-wheel drive and Bluetooth connectivity, replaces an old vehicle that was frequently in the shop.
• The Anneswer to Cancer annual fundraising soccer tournament held last weekend also brought in a record $60,000 to the Victoria Hospice — and set a new Canadian record for the most consecutive soccer passes at the same time.
The annual fundraiser, started by Brett Hyslop and Steph Steiner of World Cup Soccer Camp in memory of Brett’s mother, Anne, brought out hundreds of people for a day of fun and fundraising.
This year, organizers attempted to break the Guinness World Record for most consecutive soccer passes of more than 12 yards. Although they came up short for the world record, they managed to set a new Canadian record.
For more information, go to victoriahospice.org.
Celebrating 30 years of Victoria AM
Community organization Victoria AM is celebrating 30 years connecting businesses and tourists with a reunion breakfast on Thursday. Attendees include Chris Causton, a co-founder and former Oak Bay mayor.
Tickets are $20 in advance. The event starts at 7 a.m. in the David Foster Room of the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, 1175 Beach Dr. For tickets, call Causton at 250-595-4543. For more information, go to victoriaam.com.
St. Andrew’s goes wild for wildlife
St. Andrew’s High School has just been recognized as a Canadian Wetland Centre of Excellence by Ducks Unlimited Canada and Talisman Energy. The designation is conferred to schools that commit to the long-term care of local wetlands, where students plan and undertake a variety of conservation and education-related activities.
“We are very excited about getting our students involved in this kind of activity right in their own community.” said Annie Ingraham, a lead teacher at the school. “The Grade 10 science students have been studying wetland wildlife and are constructing nest boxes for bats and songbirds, while the Grade 11 biology students are beginning to remove invasive plants along a corridor leading to Swan Lake. We look forward to making an even larger positive impact as we gain more experience with the wetlands and our partners.”
St. Andrews is now as part of a national network of 18 school-based Wetland Centres of Excellence across Canada.
Initially, St. Andrew’s students will be working with the staff at Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary to undertake conservation activities at one of the wetlands located nearby.
For more information, go to standrewshigh.ca or ducks.ca.