Kell sets-up GoFundMe page to help him compete in Poland

Arm-wrestling athlete Garry Kell is presented with a $1,000 to help support him traveling to and competing at a world competition event in Poland, in December, from Craig MacDonald of Bonvie-MacDonald Rinks to Links Golf Classic. The presentation was made Sept. 27 and Kell took the opportunity to note he has set-up a GoFundMe page, with the goal of $5,000, to further support his once-in-a-lifetime experience. - Richard MacKenzie

ANTIGONISH, N.S. — Antigonish arm-wrestling athlete Garry Kell is looking forward to December for more than just the usual Christmas season reason.

The veteran arm-wrestler, who competes in the under-75 kilos for physical impaired athletes’ category, hopes to spend a week in the early part of the month in Rumia, Poland, at the IFA World Arm-wrestling Championship.

The championship runs from Dec. 4 to 6 and with travel days included, Kell expects to be away from Dec. 3 to 9.

“I’ll be gone for the week,” he said excitedly, talking to the Casket Sept. 27, from the East Coast Credit Union Social Enterprise Centre, home to the Antigonish Canadian Association for Community Living (CACL) where Kell is a familiar and welcoming face.

Meeting Kell at the centre was former NHL player Craig MacDonald; the Antigonish native who partners with fellow ex-NHLer and local – from Frankville, Antigonish County – Dennis Bonvie, for the annual charity event, the Bonvie-MacDonald Rinks to Links Golf Classic.

MacDonald presented Kell with a check for $1,000 towards his expenses for the trip; one of the many causes the golf event will contribute to this year.

For Kell, who will turn 50 next month and has been competing in arm-wrestling for around 28 years, this will be his first trip to the worlds outside of a couple of occasions when it was held in Canada (Ottawa in 2003, Kelowna in 2008).

This will actually represent his first time traveling outside of Canada and, along with the support he received from Rinks to Links, he continues to raise money for the experience. Kell has set-up a GoFundMe page titled Help Kell get Poland World Arm Wrestling.

“This money will pay for my trip flight, hotel, meals, entry fees and uniform; thanks for helping me with this trip,” Kell said, as part of his message on the page.

The goal is $5,000.

“I hope people can help me out,” Kell said. “This would be big for me.”