Ray Bethell Park Bench Renewal!
Donation protected
Ray Bethell Park Bench Renewal Project!
In 2005, a worldwide campaign to raise funds for a park bench in Ray Bethell’s honour was initiated by Canadians Gary Mark, Jeremy Perceval, Cal Yuen, and Richard Nourse in the UK.
With help from the British Columbia Kitefliers Association (BCKA), and the first donation in 2006 made by the late and great Corey Jensen, the project was a success! The Ray Bethell park bench still sits in Vanier Park, in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia to honour Ray. Click here to read about Ray's reaction to the surprise!
Vanier Park is Ray’s home park, and his favourite field to fly. The bench is situated in the best spot for the public to sit and watch Ray’s magic. It has a plaque engraved with “In honour of Ray Bethell, master multiple kiteflier. From your friends & fellow kitefliers worldwide. May the wind remain beneath your wings.”
The bench’s ten-year contract is up, and the cost to renew and continue maintenance for the next ten years is $2500 (which will be approximately $2722 after gofundme fees). Unfortunately, the BCKA does not have enough funds to cover this cost. If the contract isn’t renewed before November 30th, 2017, the bench will be removed and the plaque will be destroyed. We’d hate for Ray to show up at Vanier Park one day to discover that his bench is no longer there.
To all of Ray’s friends, fellow kitefliers, and fans… would you please consider making a donation to help renew the contract to keep Ray Bethell’s Park Bench?
In 2005, a worldwide campaign to raise funds for a park bench in Ray Bethell’s honour was initiated by Canadians Gary Mark, Jeremy Perceval, Cal Yuen, and Richard Nourse in the UK.
With help from the British Columbia Kitefliers Association (BCKA), and the first donation in 2006 made by the late and great Corey Jensen, the project was a success! The Ray Bethell park bench still sits in Vanier Park, in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia to honour Ray. Click here to read about Ray's reaction to the surprise!
Vanier Park is Ray’s home park, and his favourite field to fly. The bench is situated in the best spot for the public to sit and watch Ray’s magic. It has a plaque engraved with “In honour of Ray Bethell, master multiple kiteflier. From your friends & fellow kitefliers worldwide. May the wind remain beneath your wings.”
The bench’s ten-year contract is up, and the cost to renew and continue maintenance for the next ten years is $2500 (which will be approximately $2722 after gofundme fees). Unfortunately, the BCKA does not have enough funds to cover this cost. If the contract isn’t renewed before November 30th, 2017, the bench will be removed and the plaque will be destroyed. We’d hate for Ray to show up at Vanier Park one day to discover that his bench is no longer there.
To all of Ray’s friends, fellow kitefliers, and fans… would you please consider making a donation to help renew the contract to keep Ray Bethell’s Park Bench?
Organizer
Sari Alexandra Becker
Organizer
Vancouver, BC
