Fredericton curlers achieve new Guinness World Record; set higher goal for fundraising efforts
A group of curlers in Fredericton, N.B. who recently beat the Guinness World Record for the longest curling game are now setting a new goal for themselves.
The ten players from Capital Winter Club – a curling club in Fredericton – achieved their worldly goal on Friday, after being on the ice for 120-hours.
The previous world record was held by a group in Ontario where they played for 105 hours, 6 minutes, and 51 seconds.
"It's been a little bit of a roller coaster ride. Like you said, we had only wanted to raise $120,000 and when we got going with all the media coverage of the attempt it really kind of snowballed," Steven Burns said.
Now, the group is turning their attention to their fundraising efforts, which they hope will help reduce wait times for youth mental health services.
So far, they've raised $210,000.
"For Family Enrichment, it means that we are going to be able to help so many kids for quite a long time. It's amazing. It's very emotional,” said Leentje Deleuil, executive director Family Enrichment and Counselling Service, Inc.
“We apply for grants from the government and unfortunately, there was not a lot of results there, so this initiative is a miracle."
To sweeten the pot, the Fredericton curlers planned a 24-hour curling event for this weekend.
They say if they can bring the $210,000 they raised up to $300,000, they have another guaranteed $100,000 coming from two foundations.
“We're asking to bring 30 teams from all over to donate or raise $1,000 each,” Burns said.
A committee will be organized to manage the funds.
"Everybody that does something like this opens up some new mental capacity for themselves and that is what we're trying to do for kids when we talk about mental health. Mental health is really, what is your capacity to handle and cope with difficult things," curler Chris Schnare said.
It could be weeks, even months before the Guinness World Book of Record's adjudicators confirm their record status, but thanks to the money they've raised, the group already feels like winners.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.