Burpees for Charity event raises $150,000 for KidSport Greater Victoria

CHEK

Hundreds of fitness enthusiasts in Greater Victoria got active and raised a record-breaking amount of money in an effort to make sports more affordable to underprivileged kids.

On Saturday, the annual Burpees for Charity event was held at St. Michael’s University School in Saanich. The event, which sees participants do hundreds of burpees in a short period of time, raised more than $150,000, shattering last year’s record by more than $30,000.

Proceeds from Sunday’s event are donated to KidSport Greater Victoria,  an organization that helps children, who otherwise couldn’t because of financial barriers, participate in organized sports.

CHEK Upside: Victoria athlete lands Guinness World Record for burpees

Baylea Wilkins, founder of Burpees for Charity, said the cause hits close to home.

“I just wanted to do something to make a difference in the community,” said Wilkins. “I have three little boys and they all do sports and I just wanted to make sure that all kids could play to the best of my ability.”

Jill Shaw, executive director of KidSport Greater Victoria, said it’s important for children to be able to get involved in sports, especially after how much time was missed during the pandemic.

“Sport offers so many benefits for kids and we know that coming out of the pandemic in particular that the lessons relating to sport have never been more important,” said Shaw.

KidSport Canada reports that one in three Canadian kids can’t afford to play organized sports.

Saturday’s Burpees for Charity event in Saanich raised more than $150,000. (CHEK News)

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