Pirates needed for charity

Photo: Variety

Attendees of Kelowna's Boats for Hope last year.

Hundreds of young pirates will be roaming the high seas of Okanagan Lake on June 23 and volunteers are needed to help host them.

The annual Variety Children's Charity Boat for Hope fundraiser kicks off on the Saturday morning, where kids with special needs will take to the water for a pirate-themed adventure.

The fundraiser is hosted by the Kelowna Yacht Club and the Okanagan Boys & Girls Club, and the participating children have been chosen by Variety.

The event began in Vancouver 20 years ago, and has since expanded to Victoria and Kelowna. It's raised over $1.2 million for Variety.

The charity has provided direct help to children with special needs in B.C. for the last 50 years.

After the on-the-lake festivities wrap up, the hundreds of attendees will be treated to a carnival in Kerry Park.

Organizers are looking for about 15 volunteers to help set up and run the Treasure Island carnival, after some of their regular volunteers aren't able to make it this year. 

Volunteers will spend about three or four hours at the event, and they're encouraged to dress up for the pirate theme.

“It's to set up the carnival activities, the games, and food and things like that, it's not a huge carnival,” said Maureen Curtis with Variety.

Those interested in volunteering for the event can reach Curtis at [email protected].