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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday April 5, 2008 - 19 Raising funds for Brain Tumour Foundation By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF If you missed puppeteer Tim Holland perform at Hopedale Mall during the March break, you can catch him again on Tuesday, April 15 at Maple Grove United Church. The ventriloquist puppeteer and his sidekick Crackers, his naughty parrot puppet, will be on stage in the gymnasium of Maple Grove United Church. Oakville resident Shannon Speers and her children are hosting Holland's performance as a fundraising event in support of the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada. It will take place from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at the church located at 346 Maple Grove Dr. "I am a volunteer and I am doing a fundraiser to raise funds and awareness for The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada," said Speers. She came up with the idea after catching Holland's performance at Hopedale. "I am doing this to support a dear friend who is living with a brain tumour," said Speers, who operates her own in-home daycare. The event will cost $5 per child at the door and is fun for all ages. Those interested in attending should contact 905-469-3303 or speersfactor@cogeco.ca. The young and young at heart can expect to laugh themselves silly with Holland's fast-paced comedy that includes juggling, unicycling and improvisation. From cheap trickery to genuine magic, Holland's performance is all about him trying to convince his audience of the dangers of taming ferocious and unco-operative -- puppets. Holland has been entertaining professionally for nearly a decade at venues in Europe, Asia and Australia, as well as here at home. "This is for a worthy cause and without a great turnout we will not be able to reach our goal, which is to raise as much money as possible to donate in full to the foundation," said Speers. Upon learning that Jeff Graham, LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER PUPPET SHOW FUNDRAISER: Puppeteer Tim Holland will stage an April performance to benefit the Brain Tumour Research Foundation. At right, the fundraiser's organizer Shannon Speers with two children in her daycare, Georgia and Jack Graham, whose father has a brain tumour. the father of two of the children in her daycare, Georgia and Jack, had been diagnosed with a brain tumour, Speers quickly jumped on board to help. "Jeff has truly inspired me to be a better person on so many levels. When you know someone who has had or has cancer you are virtually helpless to the disease. Other than loving and supporting them and their families what else can you do? The love I have for Jeff and Susan's children has inspired me to get involved and to try to make a difference," said Speers. "Hopefully, my efforts will contribute to the ultimate goal to help find a cure for brain tumours. Jeff's story is an inspiration to me because I believe his positive outlook has played a part in helping him fight his brain tumour," said Speers. "At my daycare we are a family and what affects one of us, affects all of us. My commitment to the Brain Tumour Foundation is in honour of my friendship with Jeff Graham and his family," said Speers. Three years ago, Speers joined Graham's support team and signed up to help out at the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada's Spring Sprint event. She created and organized an interactive children's area at the fundraiser, committed countless hours making homemade greeting cards entitled "cards for cancer," and gathered numerous silent auction items. Toronto's Spring Sprint is the kickoff event for the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada's national campaign of fundraising walk-a-thons that sees spring sprint 5 km walks and runs held in 19 cities in Canada. Toronto's sprint will be at Sunnybrook Park on Saturday, April 26 and proceeds from the Oakville puppet show fundraiser will be presented at that time. Speers' family has also become involved in Toronto's Spring Sprint -- her son, sisters and friends help out with the children's area. Many of her friends have donated their time and supplies for the children's area and Speers is responsible for bringing Juno-nominated musician Kenny V, to sing and play guitar at the Sprint each year. "The Spring Sprint Committee is honoured by Shannon's commitment to Jeff and his family and her heartfelt dedication to the Spring Sprint. Each year, Speers is on-hand at Toronto's Spring Sprint to make sure that the children at the Spring Sprint feel the support and have fun with their families," said Sherri Jordan, Spring Sprint, Event Co-ordinator. "It is very important for people who have been affected by a brain tumour to have an event where they can garner support from each other," said Jordan. "We are proud to be able to unite family and friends of people affected by brain tumours and provide them -- and anyone who comes out to the Spring Sprint -- with the sense of hope that exists. Shannon plays a huge role in making that all happen." For 26 years, the Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada has been pursuing its mission to reach every Canadian affected by a brain tumour with support, education and information, and to fund research. The Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada provides information through a free, comprehensive Patient Resource Handbook, live and web-based annual education events, and support through a Canada-wide, a toll-free 1-800 phone line, website (www.braintumour.ca), and national support groups that meet monthly in many communities. Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada also supports brain tumour research through annual grants-in-aid program. For more information contact Speers at 905-469-3303 or speersfactor@cogeco.ca or visit www.braintumour.ca. Living Well Pilates REGISTER NOW FOR SPRING CLASSES REGISTER FOR TEACHER CERTIFICATION THIS SPRING PERSONALIZED PROGRAMS Mary German "Pilates For All Bodies" 905-847-0707 2251 Westoak Trails Blvd., Unit 4 w w w. l i v i n g w e l l p i l a t e s . c o m Oakville/Mississauga, Toronto, Thornhill (866) 701-ENDO (3636) or visit us @ www.lmc.ca