Wrestlers to pile-drive hunger for food bank

In the ring, wrestlers Cole Bishop and Scotty Mac are not known for their charity work.

But next weekend the pair will join 20 of their wrestling brothers in showing off their pile-drivers, knee drops and face locks all for a good cause.

Wrestling With Hunger is a three-day event that will raise money and food for the Share food bank and will hopefully set a Guinness record for longest wrestling show ever.

Event organizer Dave Teixeira promises three days of continuous, around-the-clock wrestling action starting April 2 and ending April 5 at 2 p.m., a feat, he said, that has never been accomplished. And while people get their fill of the fighting in the ring they are encouraged to make a food or money donation to the Share Family and Community Services Society.

Whether or not the wrestlers can endure the wear and tear of continuous entertainment is yet to be seen. But Teixeira said the public is welcome to come down to Hyde Creek recreation centre (1379 Laurier Ave.) and watch the action any time they wish.

“We have people that have told us they are going to come down in the middle of the night… just to keep us honest,” said Teixeira, who added fans can also follow on the Wrestling With Hunger website, where results will be posted after every match.

Teixeira said the facility is perfect for a three-day marathon wrestling event. With a gym and hot tub nearby the wrestlers will be able to keep their bodies in tune for the grueling demands they will face over the weekend. There will even be a trailer with bunk beds where the entertainers can sleep between bouts.

The timing for the event could not be better for the organization, as it has seen food stocks dwindle in part because of the economic downturn. Last year Share served approximately 64,000 people in the region, giving out 225,000 pounds of food worth $600,000.

Earlier this month Share executive director Joanne Granek told PoCo city council she anticipated the number of food bank users to rise, given the current state of the economy.

“A lot of people think about food drives at Christmas time,” said Teixeira. “That food does not last beyond April.”

Even those who are not wrestling enthusiasts are invited to enjoy the event, said Teixeira. The show begins April 2 and will continue until 2 p.m. on April 5. For more information go to www.wrestlingwithhunger.com or contact Dave Teixeira at dave@dave.ca.

Gary McKenna - Tri-City News - Photo credit Craig Hodge