A mental health initiative launched by a star high school basketball player has raised more than $9,000 so far, with the latest donations generated from a fundraising basketball tournament at the 91原创 Events Centre.
鈥� was founded by basketball star Bradley Braich, an outstanding player with Abbotsford鈥檚 Yale Secondary Lions.
His impressive stats include Canadian National second team All-Star, Fraser Valley first team All-Star, Yale Secondary Invitational Most Valuable Player (MVP), Gary Taylor Classic MVP and Cougar Classic MVP.
While Braich scored many points on the court, he has revealed that he struggled with many of the pressures and expectations associated with the game and being an athlete.
鈥淏igger than Basketball鈥� aims to raise funds for Canadian Mental Health Association, BC. branch with by-donation fundraising games featuring top basketball talent from local schools.
After the annual event was sidelined for two years due to the pandemic, it returned on May 5 to the 91原创 venue with all-star teams of top secondary-school-level players from 91原创 and surrounding communities taking part.
There was boys鈥� and a girls鈥� game, and a three-point competition.
It saw the biggest turnout and largest donations to date, raising $4,400 for the Canadian Mental Health Association in B.C. by the time online donations stopped being collected in mid-May.
That represented an increase from the two previous events, which raised more than $2,000 in 2018, and collected .
Braich was delighted.
鈥淏igger Than Basketball has now raised over $9000 [since it began],鈥� Braich told the 91原创 Advance Times.
鈥淚 was thrilled with the endless support the event and cause received this year,鈥� Braich enthused.
鈥淚 was able to meet so many awesome people and I truly cherished every conversation I had. We can鈥檛 wait to see how much more the event grows [next year].鈥�
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