Top fundraisers in the Dempsey Challenge Shootout, Braden Gagnon, Isaac Bellemore and Ryan Bellemare pose with Mary Dempsey and the captains of the L/A Fighting Spirit.

The L/A Fighting Spirit held two fundraisers recently in support of this year’s Dempsey Challenge. The team’s Charity Jersey Auction raised $5426, while the junior team’s Shootout raised $888.

The auction featured special purple team jerseys in honor of Valerie Goneau, who passed away in 2011 from a rare form of cancer. Valerie was the sister of Eric Goneau, who played for the Fighting Spirit that season, and served as an inspiration for the team as she battled her illness. The team played in the jerseys on October 17 and then presented them to the winning bidders after the game.

Thanks to Positive Tracks, the Fighting Spirit’s donation to the Dempsey Center will be doubled