Besides being local sports teams, the London Majors, London Knights, and the London Lightning all have something in common; They raise awareness on violence against women. The London Majors will be decked out in purple jerseys as they play the Guelph Royals for their annual Purple in the Park game in Labatt Memorial Park. All proceeds from the game support the London Abused Women’s Centre.
The London Lightning also has a fundraising game for them, and the London Knights will allow the organization to have a 50/50 draw at one of their games. Fabienne Haller, the Special Events Coordinator, is thankful for the support.
“It doesn’t matter what your gender is. If a woman is abused, it will filter down through her family,through her work, and therefore, we are all responsible regardless of our gender.”
The LAWC and the Majors are also giving back to CUPE Local 101 and city staff by providing them with free Purple in the Park tickets. Haller explained that the baseball team came up with the idea.
“It is very intense, I would assume, so it was something we just thought of that we hoped would may be something to enjoy at this point in time,” she said.
As Brandon Prust, forward for the Vancouver Cannucks and former London Knight, throws the first pitch at 7:35 p.m., two sports come together to raise awareness on violence against women.
