People have rallied behind Peterborough Challenger Baseball, raising more than $1,000 in a single day during a crowdfunding campaign to replace equipment stolen from the special needs baseball league last week.
Organizer and league president Bernie Daynes discovered last Wednesday (June 20) that someone had broken into the team’s equipment box at Turner Park at Chamberlain and High streets, where the Peterborough Challenger Baseball Juniors plays every Wednesday night.
Three batting helmets were stolen, along with seven bats and about a dozen balls — both of which are specially designed for special needs children and youth. As Peterborough Challenger Baseball relies on donations and fundraising to operate, the league was unable to replace the equipment on its own.
After learning of the theft, Jessica Holdcroft launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe last Thursday (June 21) with an initial goal of $1,000, which was soon met.
“It’s amazing that the goal of $1,000 was reached and surpassed in 20 hours,” Daynes writes. “The response of people and businesses have been tremendous and we will easily be able to replace and even augment the equipment stolen.”
Despite reaching the goal, people continue to make donations to the team, so Holdcroft has continued the campaign with a new goal of $2,500. The additional funds raised will be used to support the league’s ongoing operation and allow it to expand.
“I have begun to work with the city to secure space to build a barrier-free, fully accessible baseball diamond for our program and other special needs programs and youth in our community,” Daynes writes.
“To see people rally behind our program with the theft and replacement of our Junior Program equipment only re-enforces my belief in the true hearts of people and business in their support of special needs sports.”
If you wish to support Peterborough Challenger Baseball, you can donate online at www.gofundme.com/peterborough-challenger-baseball.
