Since 2005, Team Fox member Adam Kutas has transformed his passion for hockey into an opportunity to engage his hometown of London in supporting Parkinson's research. Just a few weeks ago, Adam and his committe hosted their 3rd annual ice hockey event while raising over $7,000 for Team Fox! We caught up with Adam to learn a bit more about the London Devils' success thus far:
Tell us about your event this year!
We had a family ice skate and 3-a-side hockey tournament fundraiser in London, England on May 31, 2014. Fifty skaters turned out for the family portion and nine teams in the tournament. All players are members of the London Devils Ice Hockey Club. This year we raised almost $7k and the tournament was won by a team calling themselves “2 Men and a Van”. We had four corporates sponsors this year including TD Bank, National Bank Financial, Bodean’s Restaurants and Fidelity Investments.
What was the best part of your event? What went particularly well?
The best part this year was a new kid’s “mini-tourney” during the family skate session. Many of the sons and daughters of the players participated in a general scrimmage at one end of the rink which was quite fun for the dads to watch.
What has been your biggest lesson learned? What would you have done differently?
Divide up the tournament’s main logistical tasks: refereeing, time keeper & score keeper, between three people. It usually falls onto one person and this can delay the start of some of the ice hockey games. 
What was your event planning structure? How has this worked for you thus far?
I organised the event with two people, an IT manager and the club manager. I contacted potential sponsors & collected donations, booked the ice & barriers, arranged food for afterwards, and rounded up participants. The IT manager organized the tournament schedule and the club manager organized the goalies and helped secure extra players. This has worked well for the last two years. We communicate by email which is usually best given everyone’s busy schedules.
What has been the most rewarding part of being a part of Team Fox over the years?
The best part of being on Team Fox is feeling like I am doing something to help my mother. It is tough to watch the progression of PD and this event is definitely a bright spot in my year.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to a new Team Fox member?
Just get going and organize something. Even if it doesn’t work that well the first year, learn and build on it. Each year will get better.
Anything else you’d like to share? A fun anecdote or touching moment?
We kick off the event the night before in Hoxton Square in east London – this is where James Parkinson practiced medicine in the 1800’s. We like to think that the event starts at the ‘beginning’ of PD and hopefully with money we raised, ends at the cure.
