Wrestlers put hunger in a headlock

Giant men with giant hearts.

That’s how Heather Scott of the SHARE Family & Community Services Society describes a group of wrestlers who will stock the food bank’s shelves while trying to set a new world record.

The fundraising initiative Wrestling With Hunger will bring together 20 athletes for a 72-hour round-the-clock wrestling marathon at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre from April 2 to 5.

Food and cash donations will be collected at the event, which aims to earn ranks in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest wrestling show ever.

“What an incredible group of guys to do this. I’m honestly blown away by this event. It’s so unique and exciting,” said Scott, SHARE’s director of development.

“And we’re thrilled that they want to pin down the issue of hunger in the Tri-Cities. We invite everyone in the community to go watch them, night or day, and just bring a can of food with them. This will help us fill the shelves in the food bank, where we’re getting an increasing demand for help.”

The timing couldn’t be better, Scott added, since requests for food from the non-profit organization have recently spiked by 14 per cent.

Between April 2007 and March 2008, SHARE provided food to 5,598 people from 1,142 households through its three food banks, and that number is on the rise. Forty-five per cent of recipients were under 19 years old.

“I think we’re really starting to see the impact of the recession. Anecdotally, what we’re hearing at the food bank is that people are being laid off,” Scott said.

“With the recession, of course, people find it difficult to donate so our food bank donations are down. Unfortunately now more than ever, we really do need the community to come forward.”

Event organizer Dave Teixeira said he hopes local businesses, schools, churches and other organizations will set up food drives to help out with the fundraiser, which he has been planning for the past two years.

“We encourage people not just to come out and watch, but also to bring some food for the food bank. Next year what we’re hoping to do, if this goes well, is to help other wrestling promotions around the world put on similar events in their own backyard and make it an annual event over WrestleMania weekend,” said Teixeira, owner of ECCW Pro-Wrestling since 1996.

“We had so many wrestlers want to be part of it. I think it’s a real tribute to these guys. Some have used the food bank. Others want to be involved in their community. Everyone has a reason for wanting to do this.”

For Port Coquitlam wrestler Jamie Diaz, the main motivation is to show his support for a good cause in the community.

“Hunger is a thing that’s always been around and what better way to fight it than by doing something I love, like wrestling,” said the 19-year-old.

“It’s a great cause. The economy’s down and people are finding it harder and harder to get something to eat and put food on their own tables. I hope we can make a difference and help people not be hungry.”

Coquitlam resident Nicole Matthews plans to referee a portion of the event, squeezing in the volunteer work between study sessions for her kinesiology exams at SFU.

“I just think it’s really important to give back to the community. All the wrestlers who are participating are very lucky to have what they have,” said 22-year-old Matthews, a wrestler for the past three years.

“It’s a tough time for a lot of people and I think it’s really important to give back when you’re not suffering as much as other people.”

Local wrestler Ray Brooks has volunteered at food banks in the past and finds it sad that the shelves are so bare.

“This is just a really cool way for us to help refill them because it’s going to be so much fun. I’m going to be doing what I love and doing it for a good cause at the same time,” said Brooks, better known in the wrestling world as Southern Comfort.

The 31-year-old anticipates he’ll participate in about 30 matches throughout the three-day event, each lasting anywhere from five to 45 minutes.

“I think the most I’ve ever wrestled in three days has probably been four matches, nevermind 30. I think there’s probably going to be a lot of catnapping and a lot of energy drinks,” he said with a laugh.

“The night shift is going to be interesting, I think. I figure ’sleeper hold’ might bring about a whole new meaning at four in the morning. So if I lose that way, then so be it.”

Wrestling With Hunger will run from 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 2 to 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 5 at Hyde Creek Recreation Centre, 1379 Laurier Ave. in Port Coquitlam.

After hours, the back doors will be open for spectators to drop by throughout the night. The largest crowd is expected during the last two hours of the world-record attempt. Non-perishable goods and cash donations can be dropped off at the event or brought directly to SHARE, which is also hosting its annual Just Desserts gala fundraiser on April 2.

For more information, visit www.WrestlingWithHunger.com or contact Teixeira at dave@dave.ca or 604-418-9177.

Jennifer Mcfee - Coquitlam Now