A travel basketball team in Chatham-Kent has come together to support a local boy who is battling brain cancer.
The #MatteoIsAHero Basketball Tournament Fundraiser raised over $10,000 for Matteo, a 5-year-old who was diagnosed with Medulloblastoma in May 2023.
"[The fundraiser] was fantastic," said head Coach Cesar Torres. "It turned out bigger than we expected. The stands were packed, the hallways. We had big support from our community."
On Saturday, the Wildcats took on teams from St. Thomas, Sarnia, and Cambridge. On Sunday, the team played Guelph, Tecumseh, and Kingsville. The Wildcats won all six games they played.
"Every family from our team had full support from their extended families," said Torres. "I wish I could list all of the people who donated and businesses that chipped in but the list is too expensive."
According to Torres, the idea sparked from just a conversation. The Wildcats had some extra money in their account, and the team decided to make a donation toward the family.
"Then we thought, why not try to do more?" said Torres. "We had a meeting with the parents of the team and it snowballed from there."
All the proceeds raised went to the family of Matteo.
"The family is very humbled and appreciative," said Torres. "Everybody really came through."
