This Sunday, police and fire personnel from around the state will lace up the old skates and take the ice at SNHU Arena in Manchester for a great cause.
The 10th annual Battle of the Badges Hockey Championship will feature blue versus red in a fun, yet competitive game, in support of children who receive care at Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock (CHaD).
And it just so happens that four local public servants will take part.
Tom Nault and Ian Gill from the Concord Fire Department will look to get the fire squad back on track after a tough loss last year, while Concord PD’s Kyle Pratte and Bow patrol seargent Phil Lamy hope to continue the police’s winning ways. All-time, the police own a five to three advantage, as one year was played where the police and fire were mixed together.
“It’s a great cause and I wanted to get back into it,” said Nault, who is playing for the first time since the inaugural game. “I know the PD won last year, so fire wants to go out and put on a good show and have a better outcome.”
Each player is asked to raise $1,500 for CHaD, but all four have surpassed that amount – as well as their personal goals.
As of late last week, Gill had brought in the fifth most money this year, with more than $5,500 raised. Lamy had also surpassed the $5,000 mark, while both Nault and Pratte went over their $2,000 goals.
“Most of mine has come through family and local businesses,” Nault said. “And they encourage you when you reach your goal, push it a little bit more.”
This year’s game has raised more than $170,000 toward the 10-year total that is closing in on $2 million. Now that’s what we call some pretty impressive fundraising.
“It’s such an easy thing to get behind,” Gill said.
Especially since Gill was on the receiving end of CHaD when his second child spent a week at the hospital after being born in November.
“It was humbling being on the other side,” he said. “And we were lucky, pretty minor compared to what a number of families go through.”
The players took a visit to CHaD to meet some of the kids that the game benefits.
“You get to see the reason you’re playing for,” said Lamy, who is playing for a seventh time.
Each player is matched up with a CHaD buddy, and they go to a practice and then host the kiddos for an afternoon of fun. Both Gill and Nault brought their buddies to their respective fire houses, while Lamy hosted his at the Bow PD.
General admission tickets are $10, and children 5 and under get in for free. The box office opens at 10 a.m. on game day, while doors open at 1:30 p.m. with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 2:40 p.m. Game time is 3 p.m.
So you can go to all the festivities, just the game or if you can’t make it, you can still donate to the cause.
“Any amount helps,” Lamy said. “It makes you feel good when you’re helping others in need.”
There will be T-shirts, sweatshirts and CHaD Hockey novelties for sale, as well as a 50/50 raffle and prize raffle tickets available.
For up to date info, visit kintera.org/faf/home/default.asp?ievent=1165932 .
“I’m looking forward to a good game – and some redemption,” Gill said.
