Photo: Chapman and Hoffman Photography
A local couple is “swinging” for the fences as they attempt to tap their way to a nearly $30,000 donation to the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.
Valaura Vedan and Vince Jones are contestants in this year’s Swinging with the Stars competition – an annual dance-off that acts as COHA’s biggest fundraiser of the year.
As part of their fundraising efforts, Jones and Vedan are attempting to raise $28,000 in just 28 days, during the month of February
“This campaign is definitely ambitious, but we think it’s a great way to get our community involved in a manageable way,” explains Vedan. “Essentially, we will be asking people to donate $40 each.”
“We wanted to choose a figure that wasn’t going to be too much of a strain on our friend’s wallets but that would still make an impact for the Central Okanagan Hospice Association.”
Back in his native United Kingdom, Jones says he spent hours in hospice as he visited with family receiving end of life care. His nana, Alice, was a particularly powerful figure in his life, and Jones saw the profound impact that quality hospice care can have in a loved one’s final days.
“The Central Okanagan Hospice Association’s services touch so many lives and we are truly honoured to help raise funds and awareness for such an incredible cause” he says.
Vedan and Jones will be the youngest couple ever to participate in Swinging with the stars, but they will also be the first to perform a tap dance number.
“We’re very fond of classic Hollywood and musicals, so when we got the invitation to participate we were keen on the idea of tap dancing. However, I don’t think we realized quite how challenging it was going to be,” Jones laughed.
The pair launched their “$28K in 28 Days” campaign Feb. 1, and Jones says they’re off to a “solid start,” but are still looking for more help.
To support “Team VSquared” visit the COHA Website.
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