WATCH: Ice dance duo Tess and Scott headline Salvation Army fundraiser in Victoria and kick off Christmas kettle campaign. Tess van Straaten reports.
Olympic figure skaters Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir know how to make an entrance, arriving to a standing ovation at the Bayview Place Roundhouse.
“It’s pretty fantastic for Tessa and I to come to Victoria,” says Moir, “We love coming to Victoria!”
Headlining Victoria’s first-ever Hope in the City fundraiser for the Salvation Army, the most decorated ice dancers in Canadian history kept the crowd laughing.
“This is lovely weather to us,” quipped Virtue. “Everyone is telling us this is freezing.”
The dynamic duo also talked about their long and illustrious skating career.
“I’m pretty sure when I was seven and he was nine when they paired us up for their humour, to look at us and laugh, because we showed no signs of potential whatsoever,” Virtue says. “Who’s laughing now?” added Moir, to applause from the crowd.
They also poked fun at the constant relationship rumours swirling about whether they’re dating.
“It’s pretty impressive — we got through 30 minutes of talking and you didn’t mention at all our romantic relationship that everyone seems to talk about,” joked Moir, as laughter erupted from the audience at the sold-out luncheon. “Congratulations, you’re the first room ever!”
The pair then kicked off the Salvation Army’s annual kettle campaign., which helps people in need year-round.
“Every dollar goes towards our community and people in need so we really appreciate the generosity of everyone coming forward during our campaign,” explains Patricia Mamic of the Salvation Army.
You can also help fill the kettle by donating to CHEK’s online kettle.
It’s one of the many new things being launched this year as party of the annual CHEK Charity Drive Thru, which is this Friday.
“We realize that not everyone can make it down to the station so we want to make it as easy as possible for viewers to donate and make a difference,” says CHEK Media Group general manager Rob Germain.
Phone pledges will also be accepted, $5 donations can be texted and there’s a second drop-off location at Spencer Middle School on the West Shore as the Drive-Thru celebrates 25 years.
“This is a real milestone,” Germain says. “We’ve been participating in bringing cheer for 25 years and this year is going to be extra special.”
Tess van Straaten
