Once again the crew of the BCCCB has stepped up to the plate to help out at the I.W.K. Telethon. Sharon Cousins, one of our members, has been a volunteer with the I.W.K. Telethon for a number of years, last year she asked if we were interested in displaying a few cars to add to the attractions. This year the same invitation was offered and a few more cars were needed. Above you can see the response.

Now, unlike many of our other stories, this story isn't about the BCCCB, Center stage here is the I.W.K. and the volunteers that make the telethon possible. Yes I know there are plenty of pics showing this great club of ours but we are just a small part of what went on this day. The rain was relentless, keeping away many who normally would come out to take in the events but there were many brave souls who did come out. For starters... a brave soul such as Norm Connors. His beautiful blue 1980 MGB has very low millage and for this car to see rain, I am sure is a very rare occurrence. He said there were tears in his eyes as he pulled out of his garage but knowing this was for a great cause, you will always find Norm front and center regardless of the weather. Thank heavens the crew of the Telethon thought of everything, there was even a vacant tent set up that people could use to stay out of the weather. Here, the crew of the BCCCB gathered to laugh and chat, and wouldn't you know, it was next to the food trailer.

The festivities began Saturday night with a performance from the Privateers, a fantastic group of singers and musicians. I have witnessed this group in action a few times and I have to say.... to get a party started.... these are the folks you need. Bring on the wind and the rain, after being pumped up by this performance, nothing will slow down the I.W.K. Telethon now. The people are now pumped but the electrical pulse that kept the sound going rested on the shoulders of Malcolm MacMillian and Railroad Recording. Malcolm and his trusty sidekick Scott Musgrave from Scott's Mobile DJ services did an excellent job throughout the weekend, keeping the music alive. Great job Malcolm and Scott.

Speaking of hard work. Front and center, Johnny on the spot all day, here in Cape Breton, we were lucky enough to have once again..... Jayson Baxter. This guy has way to much energy and to watch him in action, you will see how truly professional he is and you know that he really loves his job. Above Jayson is talking to some special people who's lives the I.W.K. had touched. In the first photo we have Jayson with Matthew MacDonald and his Sister Hannah. I have learned that Matthew collected 1761.40 in lemon aide and cookie sales. Now that is what I call impressive, Way to go Matthew. Next we have Jayson talking to Nathan and Steven MacKinnon and once again with Jayson talking to Brennan Thorel and Shelby Dawn Forrest as they presented a cheque to the I.W.K. Accepting donations went on all day here in Sydney and throughout the Maritimes, this was absolutely an amazing thing to watch. I watched the presentations here and on television and the outpouring of donations goes to show how important the I.W.K. is to the Maritimes and it shows the respect the Maritime's have for very professional staff who are..... the I.W.K.

I bet as you read along, you forgot about the rain that was mentioned in the first two paragraphs. Well it didn't let up but who cares, it was like a carnival atmosphere inside and in the surrounding tents. I didn't get any pics of the activities in the outside tent but I have to mentioned them because of the time they all donated to such a great cause. I seen bean bag toss and a teddy bear clinic. I seen the good folks at Home Depot donated time and materials for bird house building for the kids, there was cookie decorating and also Anita Morrison from Quality Cameras taking some great portraits. Great job! Inside, there was some great talent to be seen as well.  Stephen Jardine and Frankie Sampson did an outstanding job entertaining us as did the lovely and very talented Jennifer Roland. I swear she can make a fiddle sing. Jennifer performed with Jason Kempt, Lyndon Mackenzie and the tiny dancer was Haley MacNeil. Excellent job folks. To cap off the entertainment, a man who's music I grew up listening to.... Matt Minglewood. What a show!

The rain didn't let up all day. This kept a lot of people indoors and I believe it also grounded the Air Show being held at the Sydney Airport. BCCCB co-chair Donnie Peters had been involved in aviation for some time and he knew a few who were participating in the grounded air show. Donnie made a few calls and three member the Canadian Forces Parachute Team (the Sky Hawks) from the air show had shown up to man the phones for a while. Well done guys and gals! Now for the icing on the cake ... literally.  Check this cake out. The cake was donated by the Dairy Queen, what an amazing job they did.

Folks.. this is what it's all about, the kids. Above you have  Noelle, Amy and BCCCB member, Ricky Cousins posing for a great shot. and once again we have Amy Holloway with Doug Howatson. With a super smile that Amy has.... how can this picture not be displayed on the story. It's smiles like this that the good people at the I.W.K. are creating.

 To close out this story, Sharon had popped into the tent that we were using to seek shelter from the rain and snapped this photo of 6 of the 15 BCCCB members who brought their cars out in this weather to help in the I.W.K. Festivities. We have Norm Connors, Carol Miller, Brian McKeigan, Joe Renzi, Barc Cunningham and myself, Lonnie. Missing is Lee MacKenzie Sharon and Ricky Cousins, Peter and Sandy Smith, Bill English, Alfred and Donna Dinaut and Donnie Peters. Also seeking a little shelter and  for some light-hearted entertainment was BEARAMETIC, Nova Scotia's Emergency Health Services Mascot. BCCCB member, Joe Renzi, a big Teddy Bear himself, had to get his picture taken with her.

This year, the I.W.K. Telethon Maritime donations topped the charts at 5.4 million dollars and I am sure the donations are still trickling in. This is something we all should be proud of. What a way to show support for The dedicated work of the Hospital Staff and for those who gave it all they had to put together the I.W.K. TELETHON.

There is one last part to this story. Sharon had mentioned the  5 th annual Petit-de-Grat Pig Roast, where all proceeds go to the  I.W.K.. This year the growing event will take place at the Petit-de-Grat Community Ball Field from 1pm to 1 am August 20th. I have never attended this but it looks like I'll be there this year after hearing the stories... May be a BCCCB outing... nice job guys.

I have to give Sharon Cousins a big BCCCB pat on the back for getting us involved and an huge thank-you for the pictures. The few pictures I took failed to compare to the great photos Sharon took... again thank you.

Another proud moment for the crew of the "BRITISH CAR CLUB of CAPE BRETON"