Itsa国际传媒檚 the 11th year of Bats for a Cause, and the rivalry between passionate fundraisers is getting a twist this season.

Mike Bridge, whosa国际传媒檚 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 Childrensa国际传媒檚 Hospital.

sa国际传媒淚 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 itsa国际传媒檚 a lot of fun to be around,sa国际传媒� said Bridge.

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This year, Bridges fundraising goal is $10,000, and hesa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淗e said he loves what (us) goings are doing,sa国际传媒� said Bridge, who said that Delbucchia also hasnsa国际传媒檛 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. Hesa国际传媒檚 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.

sa国际传媒淚sa国际传媒檇 love to bring in more teams and grow the tournament to 50 to 60 teams,sa国际传媒� said Bridge. sa国际传媒淭wo divisions which are a lot of fun, with wooden bats. Itsa国际传媒檚 not about winning or losing, itsa国际传媒檚 all about the kids and raising money and having fun.sa国际传媒�

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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.

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As for his rivalry with Macfarlane, Bridge admits hesa国际传媒檚 behind in the race, but isnsa国际传媒檛 worried.

sa国际传媒淲e have a lot of fun with banter over the year, hesa国际传媒檚 leading right now, but I got a few tricks up my sleeve.sa国际传媒�

Visit Bridgesa国际传媒檚 or go to bcchf.ca/batsforacause for more information.

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