Local businesses and residents take part in community fundraiser

Story by Kathleen MacLeod, Elevate Magazine Editor

This article is an excerpt from the latest issue of Elevate Magazine, the Cape Breton Partnership’s business magazine that was created to bring a fresh perspective to local business success stories. Elevate highlights stories from small start-ups to organizations that employ hundreds of Cape Bretoners. To view the archive of previous editions of Elevate Magazine and to stay up to date on Cape Breton’s growing business community, click here.

When local communities and businesses come together, anything can happen. The case wasn’t any different for the inaugural Harbour Wars, which took place on Aug. 24, 2019. More than 50 local businesses came together with the surrounding communities in Richmond County to highlight the local fishing industry and raise money for the Cape Breton Regional Hospital Foundation’s Cancer Patient Care Fund to strengthen health care for cancer patients on Cape Breton Island.

Harbour Wars, a friendly skills competition, challenges men and women in Cape Breton’s fishing industry to raise funds and compete. The day’s events included the codfish shuffle, fish filleting, dory races, a nautical obstacle course and tug of war. In addition to bragging rights, there was a grand prize of $1,000 for the winning team of the skills competition. The 2019 winners, Grandpère’s Boys, graciously donated their winnings back to the Cancer Patient Care Fund.

Overall, the event was an incredible success, thanks in part to the nearly $15,000 in sponsorship from local businesses. Attracting over 300 people to Little Harbour, Richmond County, the event included a number of activities for the general public as well, including local seafood and live entertainment. Harbour Wars raised an impressive $23,682 for the Cancer Patient Care Fund. With a successful inaugural event, the Harbour Wars planning committee and participants are looking forward to making the fundraiser an annual occurrence in Richmond County, with the second annual event already scheduled for Aug. 22, 2020.