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Fundraiser nets foundation $62K

Husband hands grand-prize winning ticket to wife

Darren Stewart
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Feb 19/03) - Adam Bembridge bought three tickets for the Children's Wish Foundation raffle and let his buddy choose two. The third he gave to his wife, Laurie.

When the number on Laurie's card was called, and she realized she'd won a 1.14 carat diamond worth $15,000, she didn't know what to do.

"She looked over at me and said, 'What should I do, I can't go up there,' " said Teri Arychuk, a few minutes after Bembridge claimed her prize. "She's still in shock."

Four hundred Yellowknifers put on their fanciest duds and partied the night away, all for a good cause last weekend.

The fifth annual Children's Wish Foundation fundraising gala raised a whopping $62,000.

"We well exceeded what we've done before," said Arychuk, who coordinated the event.

"This was huge, it was just huge."

Last year's gala raised $45,000. The money goes toward making wishes come true for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses, whether it's a new computer or a trip to Disney World.

Other winners included Adrian Amirault, who won a seven-day Caribbean cruise from Top of the World and Canadian North.

Joanne McGrath won a trip for two to Bathurst Inlet Lodge and Robert Hawkins won a trip for two to Blatchford Lake Lodge.

"It was a fantastic evening," said Arychuk.

Arychuk said an exact tally of funds raised would be included in a thank you advertisement that will run next week in Yellowknifer.