On Friday, the second annual Copperbelt Charity Golf Classic will be held at the Meadow Lakes Golf Club. The proceeds from the tournament will be donated to the Yukon T1D Support Network to raise funds and awareness for Yukoners living with Type 1 diabetes.

The tournament will feature special guest John Chick a retired CFL defensive end who played eight seasons in the league primarily with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He spent three years in the NFL first on the Indianapolis Colts practice roster and then for the Jacksonville Jaguars where he spent two seasons.

Chick returned to the CFL and the Roughriders in 2013 and near the end of this career, he had stints with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Edmonton Eskimos.

Chick was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 14. He played his entire professional career with an insulin pump and helped the Roughriders capture the Grey Cup in 2007 and 2013.

Scott Kent, the MLA for Copperbelt, and host of the tournament said T1D came to them with good ideas and thought the tournament was a good opportunity to help out. Also by having a pro, it makes it a unique event.

Amanda Leslie is the other host of the event and said that the organizers want to focus on new, burgeoning charities in the territory.

“The interest lies in new charities,” said Leslie. “We feel with the money raised we can focus on newer charities and really help a small charity get started.”

The Every Student Every Day charity was founded in 2012 and Leslie said it has garnered a lot of awareness but that is used to be in the same position as the T1D Support Network.

“We will raise about $10-12 thousand but it is very much about the spotlight put on T1D Support Network and help put out some awareness.”

In addition to playing in the charity golf tournament and addressing the participants, he will be speaking to local school students during his time in the territory and will make an appearance to connect with football fans at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 254 in Whitehorse on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

“We are excited that John Chick can come up and speak to Yukoners first-hand about living and pursuing a career in professional football with Type 1 diabetes,” said Kent. “We always look for ways to support grass-roots organizations in our community and we hope Mr. Chick’s story and perseverance will help inspire and encourage all Yukoners.”

Chick will be speaking to the students at Vanier, Thursday, as well as running their PE classes.

The Yukon T1D Support Network is a not-for-profit organization, which aims to help Yukoners who have Type 1 diabetes through eduction, advocacy and support.