Axe throwers raise thousands for cancer centre

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on November 18, 2023.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

A group of local axe throwers raised thousands of dollars for the Jack Ady Cancer Centre recently for the third year in a row, while taking part in some friendly competition among them.
Burn Battle Lethbridge 2023 charity event organizer Amy Overes spoke to the Herald about the fundraiser event and said it just keeps getting better every year.
During their inaugural event in 2021 they were able to raise $3,000, followed by $6,000 in 2022.
This year, their goal was to raise $10,000 to axe cancer, but ended up raising $16,000 instead and Overes said the Jack Ady Cancer Centre will be receiving the funds today.
She said the Jack Ady Cancer Centre has been the recipient of their fundraising proceeds, not only because they are a local charity, but also because of a personal connection.
“We’ve had family and we’ve had friends who had family that had to fight cancer, and so that made it very easy to figure out where the money would be going,” said Overes.
She said everything started with her being on social media and coming across a video that called for auditions to take part of an axe throwing reality show, and she secured a spot.
Overes said she met a few women axe throwers from across the world and decided to team up with a couple of them to organize simultaneous charity events in each of their countries, to raise funds for local charities in their respective communities. The events have been taking place simultaneously in Agaham, Massachusetts in the United States and County Durham in the United Kingdom.
When it comes to her involvement with axe throwing, Overes said the whole reason why she started was because of a birthday party.
“It started with my husband’s 40th birthday. It was so much fun that he joined a league, and then I joined a few months later once he convinced me to join. It took me a bit of coasting and we have been hooked ever since,” said Overes.
She said the sport has given Overes and her husband an opportunity to compete in the world stage, meet multiple people and open many doors for them.
“And now it allows us to be able to donate money for the Jack Ady Centre, something that has changed our lives,” said Overes.

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