Champions for Charity Brad Fulton has Tunnel Vision for fundraising victory for MacKids
By Jeff Hicks
KITCHENER —
Brad Fulton embraces The Grind.
Fifteen weeks of intense physical training to be one of Mandy Bujold’s 20 Champions for Charity. Gruelling early-morning workouts at Sydfit Health Centre in Kitchener.
Jump squats. Jump ropes.
Jump start to a level of physical fitness he hadn’t pursued in three decades.
“It’s exciting at first,” said the 46-year-old Fulton. “Then, you get into that little bit of monotony. Then, you drive through that monotony and it gets exciting again because Fight Night comes up real quick.”
And at the April 24 finale of fisticuffs at sold-out Tapestry Hall?
The president of Guelph-based Tunnel Vision Trenchless Services — video quality control for new sewer lines is their specialty — will be fitter than he has been in three decades as he steps into the ring or his first bout in a black-tie, live-streamed, Vegas-style spectacle.
And MacKids will hopefully have more than a million dollars to provide local kids and their families with the highest-quality health care as the fundraising goal for the 4th Champions for Charity event soars to new heights.
For 20 community leaders turned first-time boxers, that’s what enduring The Grind is all about.
“It’s all positives other than being in The Grind and knowing there’s still weeks to go,” said the Mississauga-raised Fulton, who also embraces the health benefits of The Grind.
“You can physically see the results. You can feel the results. Obviously, the training hurts, aches. But you still feel that sense of accomplishment about it.”
Of course, there is the camaraderie, Red Team or Blue Team, that all Champions for Charity, current or past, share.
Fulton saw it a few years back, when his good friend Mark Melo was a Champion.
Last year, pals Jason Kropf and Paul Sousa, gloved up at Tapestry Hall.
This year’s teammates on the Red squad are helping him punch through the toughest moments of The Grind.
“Everybody is always encouraging each other. Everybody has down times. Somebody is always there to pick you up — teaching, helping.”
His Tunnel Vision co-owner, Mo Elash, has picked up any slack created by The Grind.
Wife Kelly cheers him on. Daughter Emma, a vibrant 18-year-old, is studying at Brock University to become a teacher. Their son Nolan, an estimator at Tunnel Vision, is 23.
His estimation of the post-grind fight is a victory for dad.
“A 100-per cent win,” Fulton said. “Smart kid.”
To support Brad, click here.
Our Champion Spotlight is brought to you by Lee Kieswetter Heavy Civil.
