Boats bearing different flags than usual gathered in VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 Inner Harbour on Saturday. The skull and crossbones of pirates were everywhere, along with pirates of many sizes carrying water guns and water balloons as a part of Variety the ChildrenB次元官网网址檚 CharityB次元官网网址檚 14th annual B次元官网网址淏oat for HopeB次元官网网址� event.
Every year Variety invites ill or disabled children supported by its services, and their families, to have a day of nautical fun.
B次元官网网址淲e have families from all over Victoria, up as far as Nanaimo and the Comox Valley, come down for this event,B次元官网网址� said the charityB次元官网网址檚 community development officer, Richard OB次元官网网址橲haughnessy. B次元官网网址淭hey get to go on the waters today with our skippers and go out and act like pirates.B次元官网网址�
| Xander Charmley (left), Coen Charmley, Frank Charmley and Jesse Charmley are ready to get some loot as they participate in Variety B.C.'s "Boat for Hope" event. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS |
In all, 280 people: children, caretakers and family members, boarded ships down at HMCS Malahat pier in James Bay. Participants tried their hands at five water-bound stations, shooting pirates with water guns along the way and earning loot. When they returned to land, they were treated to a barbecue filled with delicious food as well as more fun games.
B次元官网网址淲e do this as just as a way to give our families a special day out, a day for themselves,B次元官网网址� OB次元官网网址橲haughnessy said. B次元官网网址淭hey get to see families in a similar situation. For them, itB次元官网网址檚 a day of stress-free fun where kids get to be themselves.B次元官网网址�
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Delphine Charmley, mother to VarietyB次元官网网址檚 kid champion Xander Charmley, agreed.
B次元官网网址淏oat for Hope is a great day to have the kids that have special needs to have a little bit of a break from all the poking and prodding and everything else,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 just a chance for them to have a lot of fun,B次元官网网址� she said.
Her grandchildren also look forward to the event all year, she added, and as soon as they get home they mark the next event on the calendar.
B次元官网网址淚 really like shooting the water taxis,B次元官网网址� said nine-year-old Jess Charmley. B次元官网网址淎nd if they hit [them], I like that!B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 awesome,B次元官网网址� added six-year-old Coen Charmley, B次元官网网址淏ecause I like shooting the pirates!B次元官网网址�
