Total Ice Training Centre is fundraising this Saturday, Oct. 3, for Cole Bernier who was seriously injured in a construction accident last week in Kelowna.
The former Williams Lake man became pinned under two roof trusses and is now recovering in hospital with two broken vertebrae in his lower back and trauma to his spinal cord.
Tyler Judd, a fitness instructor at Total Ice, is organizing the fundraiser and said Bernier has been a dedicated CrossFit athlete for several years.
“Cole is a big health and fitness guy and does competitive fitness stuff,” Judd said, noting a fitness fundraiser seemed appropriate.
Judd and three other fitness instructors are inviting people to come out and participate between 9 and 11 a.m. at the centre.
The classes will be age and ability neutral so if people are not particularly active they are still encouraged to participate.
“They can come as individuals, as families or work in a group.”
A number of other gyms in the Okanagan are doing similar events, Judd added.
“He’s a guy who lots of people really respect and really like and there are lots of people getting on board to help in any way they can.”
If the interest is there, the classes will go past 11 a.m. depending on how many people sign up, Judd said.
There will also be an opportunity to challenge the coaches.
“We put our members through the paces every week so we’ve put it out to them that if they want to pledge or sponsor us we’ll do more than the prescribed workout.”
The day will be about camaraderie and fun, Judd said noting all funds raised will go to help the Bernier family support their son during his recovery.
Judd can be reached at tjudd@totalice.ca if people are interested in attending a class and helping send some support and strength down to Cole.