Fifth annual Sk8 Jam 4 Sam returns

By: Emily Stewart

Skateboarders and enthusiasts of all skill levels will be coming together to raise money to honour the life of an enthusiastic member of the community.

The fifth annual Sk8 Jam 4 Sam will take place at the Stratford All Wheels Park on Sept. 26. The fundraiser for Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth will begin with a youth competition for young skaters up to 15-years-old and will follow with three main adult skate competitions including lines, best tricks and games such as jumping over a limbo pole. Sk8 Jam 4 Sam will also include live music, food by donation, local vendors, raffles and t-shirts for sale.

The skate jam honours the memory of Sam Beauchamp, a skateboarder who died from brain cancer at 27-years-old and spent his final days in hospice care.

"We found that doing this in honour of him was also fulfilling his final wishes in terms of the support that he got for Rotary Hospice and what his parents hoped for us to build off his legacy,” said Brendon Whetham, one of the Sk8 Jam 4 Sam organizers.

Whetham aims to raise $4,000 for Rotary Hospice Stratford Perth at this year’s Sk8 Jam 4 Sam event. He met Beauchamp later in his life and is pleased to continue his legacy by supporting the hospice.

“He was always such a great energy to be around, super supportive so being able to almost carry on what he wished he could have, there's really no words to describe how great that feels,” Whetham said. “We know that it brings a lot of joy to his family and the community and it's just a great feeling overall to bring this sense of community and awareness to Rotary Hospice and that cancer does take young kids as much as older people."

Event registration will be on-site at the skate park on 270 Downie St. starting at 12 p.m., with the youth competition to follow starting at 1 p.m.