'We're having fun': The 32nd annual CHEO BBQ back this Saturday

The CHEO BBQ was held at Shefford Park in Ottawa on Saturday. (Natalie van Rooy/CTV News Ottawa)

The 32nd annual CHEO BBQ took place Saturday to raise funds for the city’s children’s hospital.

It happened at Shefford Park located at 813 Shefford Road in Gloucester.

"The priority is to spread the CHEO BBQ spirit while raising money for CHEO. If you have funds to spare right now to support CHEO," said the event on its website.

CHEO BBQ volunteer, Daniel Burnside, told CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy Saturday every penny counts when it comes to achieving the event's fund raising goal.

"It's tough to say. We just try to squeeze out every penny we can and everybody works really hard just for us to have events like this. I used to volunteer for this before I ever had to go to CHEO. And then when my son finally got sick and we had to spend some time there, he really put it all into perspective and just made me want to try that much harder each year, come back and try to make this the best event we can," Burnside said.

While everyone was having fun, Karl Lamirande, at CHEO BBQ added, it's an opportunity for the community to come together.

"We're here. We're having fun. My son is playing soccer, and we're just outside enjoying the beautiful weather," Lamirande said. 

"I think it's great to be here so that we can raise funds for the community and just have fun and come together as a community.I don't think we do it enough. It's too bad for the weather a little bit. It's kind of raining, but people are still enjoying themselves and having fun."

Here’s a list of CHEO BBQ's events: 

• Silent Auction 

• Family Zone with crafts, games and entertainment 

• BBQ Tent 

• Five-Kilometre Walk/ Run 

• Volleyball Tournaments

CHEO BBQ askeds residents who were going to be driving to park on the street, noting that the “use of arena lot is not permitted due to tournaments."

The 41st annual CHEO Telethon wrapped up Saturday on CTV Ottawa after a two-week campaign of raising money and awareness about Ottawa's children's hospital.

It raised $720,600. The raised money will go towards research, equipment and supplies.

 

With files from CTV News Ottawa's Natalie van Rooy and Ted Raymond