A New West woman who was paralyzed earlier this year after a ski hill accident could receive a cheque for $15,000 this week.
The B.C. Hospitality Foundation – an agency that helps hospitality workers suffering financial hardship due to a medical condition – has agreed to match up to $7,500 during a pub crawl tomorrow night. The event supports Shannon Elmer, who was blindsided by a skier while snowboarding on Blackcomb Mountain on April 11. She was taken to Vancouver General Hospital by air ambulance and underwent surgery for a shattered C5 vertebrae. Elmer, 30, then spent 23 days in the intensive care unit and was later moved to GF Strong Rehabilitation Centre.
So far, Elmer has been able to regain some strength in her right hand, according to her father, Ken.
All donations from the pub crawl will be used to purchase a wheelchair, a lift and other necessary renovations and equipment for her apartment, according to Alan Sacks, BCHF’s executive director.
Tickets are $20 and will include a 45-minute stop at each of the six venues, a donated shot or drink, and a chance to win some prizes. The festivities begin at 9 p.m. at The Bourbon, followed by The Metropole, Hastings Warehouse, The Pint, The Blarney Stone and Portside.
Sacks said he’s confident the event will be a success, with the foundation having already pulled off two matched fundraisers this summer. Both, he noted, exceeded the threshold.
For more information, visit the Facebook page, That’s How Gastown Rolls. To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/teamshan.
