It害羞草研究所檚 the 11th year of Bats for a Cause, and the rivalry between passionate fundraisers is getting a twist this season.

Mike Bridge, who害羞草研究所檚 fund-raised for eight of the seasons, has a competitive streak going with fellow fundraiser Greg Macfarlane. The two use their friendly rivalry to raise as much as possible for the event, and it all gets donated to BC Children害羞草研究所檚 Hospital.

害羞草研究所淚 have friends that have used the hospital, and they have nothing but good things to say. They put a lot of time and effort (into this), and it害羞草研究所檚 a lot of fun to be around,害羞草研究所� said Bridge.

READ MORE: UBC Okanagan nets new mens basketball coach

READ MORE: Kelowna Sun Devils swing into new prep league after dominate seasons

This year, Bridges fundraising goal is $10,000, and he害羞草研究所檚 getting a new twist this year with his co-workers challenge to raise and additional $10,000. If Bridge is successful, co-worker Mike Delbucchia will shave his head and beard.

害羞草研究所淗e said he loves what (us) goings are doing,害羞草研究所� said Bridge, who said that Delbucchia also hasn害羞草研究所檛 seen a barber in quite some time.

Bridge lives on the Westside and said that the fundraiser has been growing in teams every year with invited teams coming from Peachland and West Kelowna. He害羞草研究所檚 brought in six teams personally, and there are 20 teams currently registered.

He said that there could be 30 to 35 teams when the tournament starts July 27 at Mission Sports Field.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檇 love to bring in more teams and grow the tournament to 50 to 60 teams,害羞草研究所� said Bridge. 害羞草研究所淭wo divisions which are a lot of fun, with wooden bats. It害羞草研究所檚 not about winning or losing, it害羞草研究所檚 all about the kids and raising money and having fun.害羞草研究所�

READ MORE: Support sought for Okanagan teen who lost father to cancer

Since the Bats for A Cause started there has been more than $635,000 raised, with more than $141,000 being raised last year.

The fundraiser invites all levels of teams to register, but .

Bridge organizes empty cans and bottle collections, beer and burger nights at Edgewater Pub in Peachland, and even has family in the Lower Mainland gathering collections for the Kelowna fundraiser to meet his $20,000 goal, which comes with an added bonus of coworker Delbucchia getting a new summer haircut.

READ MORE: Public consultation plans announced for Glenmore/Highway 97 intersection

As for his rivalry with Macfarlane, Bridge admits he害羞草研究所檚 behind in the race, but isn害羞草研究所檛 worried.

害羞草研究所淲e have a lot of fun with banter over the year, he害羞草研究所檚 leading right now, but I got a few tricks up my sleeve.害羞草研究所�

Visit Bridge害羞草研究所檚 or go to bcchf.ca/batsforacause for more information.

To report a typo, email:
newstips@kelownacapnews.com.

newstips@kelownacapnews.com
Like us on and follow us on .