More than $2700 raised at annual Tessa Beauchamp Night, pushing total to over $40K

Tessa Beauchamp's mother Wendy performs the ceremonial face-off between Langley's Evan Messenger (left) and New Westminster's Drew Belgrave, with Tessa Beauchamp Foundation President Ken Buchan during the July 22 Western Lacrosse Association game at Langley Events Centre. The Thunder auctioned off special game-worn jerseys, raising more than $2700 for the Foundation. Ryan Molag photo

Thanks to the generosity of the lacrosse community, a major milestone in support of the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation was surpassed on Wednesday night.

Each Western Lacrosse Association season since 2012, the Langley Thunder have chosen one game where they wear specially designed jerseys which are then auctioned off in support of the Foundation.

And during Wednesday’s game at Langley Events Centre against the visiting New Westminster Salmonbellies, $2,725 was raised through the auction. That brings the total amount raised since the Foundation’s formation in 2012 to more than $40,000.

"Every Tessa Beauchamp Night is incredibly meaningful to our family," the Beauchamp family stated. "Seeing the Langley Thunder wear these beautiful jerseys and the continued support from the lacrosse community means so much to us. After all these years, Tessa's memory continues to live on."

Tessa Beauchamp passed away in 2012 at the age of 18 following a courageous four-year battle with cancer.

Beauchamp was known for her strength, compassion and perseverance in the face of adversity. Her courage inspired countless people, and the Foundation established in her honour continues to support scholarships, community initiatives and charitable organizations that reflect the values she lived by.

“Tessa was an extraordinary young woman whose impact continues to be felt more than a decade later," said Ken Buchan, President of the Langley Thunder and the Tessa Beauchamp Foundation. “As someone who had the privilege of teaching Tessa at Holy Cross, I saw firsthand her kindness, her determination, and the way she uplifted everyone around her. This night allows us to celebrate her legacy while continuing the work that was inspired by her life.”

The jerseys were produced by X-Treme Threads and sponsored by the Matheson Family Foundation.

On the floor, the Thunder fell 12-8 to the visiting ‘Bellies, dropping their record to 3-13. New Westminster improved to 6-9.

Connor Watson led Langley with four goals and five points while Jake Govett scored twice. Devin Pipher and Evan Messenger had the other Thunder goals with Alex Buque stopping 50 of 62 shots.

Will Malcom (3-1) and Owen Rahn both had hat tricks for the Salmonbellies while Ashton Leclair finished with 35 saves on 43 shots.

Langley is back in action on July 24 as they visit the Burnaby Lakers before wrapping up the season back at Langley Events Centre on July 29 against the Coquitlam Adanacs.

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