The Guardian (Charlottetown)

Goddard legacy continues to grow

Annual Nichola Goddard fundraiser set for November

- BY JIM DAY

P.E.I. comedian and writer Patrick Ledwell has been charged with bringing his special brand of levity to a fundraiser with plenty of heart.

Ledwell, the author of I Am an Islander and star of the hit Charlottet­own Festival show Come All Ye, will be guest speaker at the sixth annual Nichola Goddard Foundation fundraiser next month.

Another very well known Canadian celebrity will also make an appearance as a cyber guest.

The event is held each year in Charlottet­own to raise money in memory of Forward Observatio­n Officer Capt. Nichola Goddard, the first Canadian female soldier killed in combat on May 17, 2006, in Afghanista­n.

The special night has consistent­ly provided an evening of warm entertainm­ent, good food, and the opportunit­y to bid on a host of unique items.

Two tickets to a live recording in Toronto of the Rick Mercer Report is one of the big ticket items this year. The package includes airfare for two on Porter Airlines from Moncton to Toronto with two nights accommodat­ion at a boutique hotel.

Sally Goddard notes the majority of the 120 tickets have been sold for the fundraiser. She is keen to sell the remaining tickets quickly to allow for final preparatio­ns.

Tickets for the night of entertainm­ent and a tasty meal cost $125 each.

The event is being held Saturday, Nov. 15 at the Charlottet­own Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion on Pownal Street.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.nicholagod­dard.com or by calling Sally at 902-569-5665.

Sally is thrilled with the success of the fundraiser to date that has raised thousands of dollars in the name of her daughter, fallen soldier Capt. Goddard.

The fundraiser has helped fuel The Nichola Goddard Light Up Papua New Guinea project that aims to improve the quality and functional­ity of health care facilities in rural Papua New Guinea by installing solar-powered LED lighting systems so that health facilities can be used in the evening.

Today, more than one million people can access light at first aid stations and birthing stations in Papua New Guinea thanks to the project.

Money raised at the dinner also funds scholarshi­ps in Goddard’s name at UPEI and at the University of Calgary.

 ?? SUBMITTED PHOTO ?? Capt. Nichola Goddard was the first Canadian female soldier killed in combat in 2006 in Afghanista­n. The sixth annual fundraiser in her name is set for Nov. 15 in Charlottet­own with proceeds going to scholarshi­p funds and The Nichola Goddard Light Up...
SUBMITTED PHOTO Capt. Nichola Goddard was the first Canadian female soldier killed in combat in 2006 in Afghanista­n. The sixth annual fundraiser in her name is set for Nov. 15 in Charlottet­own with proceeds going to scholarshi­p funds and The Nichola Goddard Light Up...

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