future Special Olympian from New Westminster has inspired an upcoming fundraiser at the AColumbia Theatre.
New Westminster Police Const. Bruce Ballingall was attending a conference last November when he met Sam Fetherstonhaugh - a New Westminster boy who's been taking part in a program through Special Olympics.
The chance meeting inspired Ballingall to organize a May 15 fundraiser for Special Olympics British Columbia.
"My main focus is selling out the event for Sam. To me Sam is the Special Olympics," he said. "We are doing it at the historic Columbia Theatre. It's a night of rock and roll. We call it Rock In - Rock Out - I'm rocking out and Sam's rocking in,"
Ballingall is concluding a 27-year career with the police department by organizing the fundraiser for Special Olympics, featuring Bobby Bruce (Nearly Neil), a Neil Diamond tribute artist.
"That's what this is all about - it's about Sam taking over from me. His career is just starting as a special Olympian and mine is just ending as a cop," Ballingall said. "It's symbiotic."
Sam, seven, takes part in the Active Start program that's offered in Burnaby.
"It has meant a lot to Sam," said dad Colin Fetherstonhaugh. "It's a place he really fits in well. He's made lots of friends there that we see. He is learning about sports and being fit. We are a pretty sporty family."
Sommer Fetherstonhaugh said her son has been learning new skills through the Active Start programs that will help him remain active in the years ahead.
Sam and his two sisters, Grace and Ella, have attended some Special Olympics events as spectators
"They had a basketball tournament for the older athletes, older teenagers, and younger adults. The level of play was excellent," Sommer said. "We were just really inspired. It's amazing. It's great for us to see the potential for Sam to be involved in community sports."
After meeting Sam, Ballingall decided to organize a fundraiser for Special Olympics.
"I was so excited when I found out he was from New Westminster. I have never met a Special Olympian from New Westminster before. Apparently there is a couple but they train in Burnaby," he said. "Sam was there with his family. He's only seven so he's not old enough to be a Special Olympian yet. He's in what's called the Active Start program."
While Sam is still too young to compete in the Special Olympics, Ballingall is convinced he's got a bright future ahead of him.
"Sam is going to be our next champion. Sam will come home with a lot of Special Olympic medals, he will for sure," Ballingall said. "He's got the attitude, already at seven. "
The May 15 fundraiser is Ballingall's way of saying thank you to the Royal City for allowing him to be part of the community for nearly three decades, and for supporting Special Olympics.
Ballingall has been the New Westminster Police Department's representative to the Law Enforcement Torch Run, a major fundraiser for Special Olympics worldwide.
"You haven't experienced true happiness, in my world, until you've put a medal around a Special Olympian's neck," he said. "You see their self esteem just go up. The joy, not just for them but for their whole family."
Chief Const. Dave Jones isn't surprised that Ballingall wanted to raise funds for Special Olympics as his parting gift to the city.
"That's his style," he said. "He wanted to do something for the young athlete."
Tickets for the Rock in - Rock out fundraiser are $20.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.thecolumbia.ca.
