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Family Fishing Derby cancelled due to ice conditions, weather forecast

Past four years have raised funds for children afflicted with cancer.
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The four annual Family Fishing Derbies thus far have been fun-filled activities for young and old. Organizers have reluctantly cancelled this year’s edition.

Organizers of a notable cancer fundraiser — the annual Family Fishing Derby for Kids with Cancer — have announced with regret the cancellation of this year's event due to ice conditions and weather forecast.

"It is with great regret that due to the current ice conditions combined with the long term forecast for the next 10 days and beyond, we have no choice but to cancel the February 17, 2013 Family Fishing Derby," organizer Shane Westle said in a press release this week.

"There has been a lot of thought in this process and out of concern for the participants safety and respect to our valued sponsors, the decision has been made to cancel this year's event."

Westle helped launch the Family Fishing Derby in 2009. More than 1,500 people take over Horseshoe Lake east of Cranbrook each year for a family oriented day of fun activities, games and contests – not to mention the ice-fishing derby itself. The past four years' derbies have raised more than $75,000 for kids afflicted with cancer and their families.

The Family Fishing Derby is a non-profit charity that does not receive government funding, and relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors.

Everything enjoyed at this event is donated and everyone involved is a volunteer. One hundred per cent of proceeds go directly to children, and help provides the necessary emergency aid for families through the Canadian Cancer Society.

"We look forward to next year's event and want to extend special thanks to all our sponsors for their support over the past four years," Westle said.



Barry Coulter

About the Author: Barry Coulter

Barry Coulter had been Editor of the Cranbrook Townsman since 1998, and has been part of all those dynamic changes the newspaper industry has gone through over the past 20 years.
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