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| Thursday, June 11, 2015
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Celebrities pitch in for ‘good cause’
‘Super Heroes’ Never Give Up
By MONIQUE TAMMINGA Aldergrove Star
KURT LANGMANN PHOTO
Mark Stockbrocks with his “superheroes” (from left) Holly Wilson, Pat Stockbrocks and Joyce Wilson. Story, page 3.
A celebrity softball game is being held at the annual Slo-Pitch tournament in Aldergrove this weekend. Come to Parkside Elementary ball diamond at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday to watch numerous Canucks alumni like Cliff Ronning, Garth Butcher, Xmen actress Katie Stuart, UFC fighter Jason Dooms Day and many more hit one out of the park, all for the cause of helping abused children. Sexual abuse survivor Andy Bhatti has played in the slo-pitch tournament for years and thought what a great way to spread awareness and raise money for a worthy cause. “Lots of people ask why do this in Aldergrove? I put together this many celebrities, but I think Aldergrove is the best place. It’s my own town and this is where awareness is needed,” said Bhatti, a recent recipient of the Courage to Come Back Award in the addictions category. Bhatti was sexually abused by his Big Brother when he joined Big Brothers Big Sisters of Langley at the age of nine. His abuser was later convicted for abusing two boys in Kamloops. But Bhatti never told anyone about the abuse and instead escaped his reality by using heroin. He found himself living in the Downtown Eastside because ‘that was a place I wasn’t being judged and
where I felt comfortable.’ Now nearly nine years clean, Bhatti has made it his mission to spread awareness and provide support to other survivors. He started up his own non-profit Survivors Supporting Survivors. He is now a certified interventionist and is helping abuse survivors and addicts get the help they need. Canucks alumni like Langley’s John Craighead will join UFC fighter Jason Dooms Day, Just 4 Laughs comedian Darcy Michaels and Stuart (who played Kitty in Xmen) among other celebrities who will play in the charity game. Following the game people can meet the stars and get their autograph by donation as well as participate in a silent auction and raffle prizes including a 55 inch TV donated by Langley Chrysler, $700 bike from Cranky’s and a Jose Canseco bat. There are an estimated 50 ball teams playing in the Aldergrove tournament that goes all Saturday and Sunday. Bhatti figured with this many people at the park it was a great opportunity to raise awareness about sexual abuse and to raise money for Sophie’s Place, the first centre in B.C. of its kind to provide wrap around services to children who suffer trauma like sexual abuse. Bhatti continues to advocate for children who have experienced sexual abuse.
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