20 local business leaders are getting ready to step into the ring to raise donations for McMaster Children’s Hospital
On November 14 and 15, over 65 brave souls took their first step towards the ring for this year’s Champions for Charity. Our coaches and trainers put them through a grueling hour-long tryout to see if they had what it takes to not only step into the ring, but to carry the weight of this incredible cause.
Choosing this year’s roster was incredibly difficult.
Every matchup must meet strict Boxing Ontario rules: with weight and age being a major factor. That means we weren’t just looking at their weight today—we had to anticipate where they will be on fight night. It’s a puzzle we take extremely seriously.
Beyond the stats, we looked for heart. Tryouts weren’t a test of perfection; they were a test of effort. We can train anyone to be a boxer, but we can’t train motivation. We looked for the people who showed up, tried hard, and proved they were coachable.
This is a fundraiser at its core. We needed individuals who understand that their networks, community connections, and goals help move the needle toward our $650,000 goal this year. We looked for good people with great energy who are willing to support their teammates and pour themselves into this journey.
Finding matches that meet safety guidelines and create incredible fights is no small task… but luckily, KW is full of people who step up with courage, grit, generosity, and heart.
We are proud to present the Champions who will step into the ring in 2026:
Team Red
- Brad Fulton, Owner/President at Tunnel Vision Trenchless Services Inc.
- Paul Bostajian, Vice President at Grandview Homes
- Darren Johnston, VP Commercial Banking at TD Bank
- Mitchell Blaine, Executive Vice President at JLL
- Mitch Wilson, Managing Director at Peony Investments VMW Ltd
- Wesley MacDonald, Insurance Broker at Josslin Insurance
- Jennifer Appleby Vines, CEO at Georgette Packaging
- Michelle Clark, Veterinary Technician at Clark Animal Hospital
- Eugenia Phelan, Financial Advisor at Edward Jones
- Faune Lang, Executive Director at Food4Kids Waterloo Region
Team Blue
- Jeritt Raney, Co-Owner at R&R Food Co
- Craig Seibel, Owner at ACL Steel Ltd.
- Sophia Clark, Project Management at Govan Brown & Associates Ltd.
- Arnold Yescas, Arts & Culture Manager at Downtown Kitchener BIA
- Art Janzen, Partner at Menno S. Martin Contractor Limited
- Dan Nagle, Partner at BDO Canada LLP
- Lynne MacDonald, Realtor at Remax Solid Gold
- Justin Hamilton, President at Wealthstream Partners Inc.
- Alicia Panetta, Contracts and Insurance Specialist, Melloul Blamey Construction
- Deidre Hatton, Coach at Move Strong
Mandy and her coaching team will now guide these fighters through the entire process, from throwing their first punch to stepping into the ring on fight night.
Now in its fourth year, Champions for Charity has raised over $1,000,000 for McMaster Children’s Hospital Foundation. As well as additional funds for the Waterloo Region Health Network Foundation, and KidsAbility Foundation. The Brawl at Tapestry Hall in the Gaslight District in Cambridge is the most electrifying night of the year all for a great cause.
To our community, we invite you to pick your favourite champion and show your support by making a contribution to their fundraising efforts.
Let’s help them knock out this year’s fundraising goal.
