Fans heading to the London Lightning game Saturday are asked to wear purple to show support for the London Abused Women's Centre.
Lightning players will trade their yellow uniforms for purple ones as they host the Halifax Hurricanes at Budweiser Gardens for the Shine the Light on Woman Abuse game. The players' purple jerseys will be signed and auctioned off with custom made purple and yellow basketballs in a silent auction being held throughout the game. The auction closes 20 minutes after the final buzzer.
A "Super Fan" auction will also be held prior to the game at 5pm with exclusive signed Lightning memorabilia up for grabs.
"All of the proceeds from the purple game Saturday are going to the London Abused Women's Centre. The funds will go towards front line service for our clients," says Fabienne Haller, fund development coordinator at the London Abused Women’s Centre.
She says they aren't isn't looking to raise a specific dollar amount.
"In this particular scenario where we are in partnership with a sports team the awareness alone is priceless," says Haller. "To be able to do this kind of partnership, be out there in the community, and raise awareness on the issue of woman abuse is our main goal. Anything that comes from the silent auction or the 50/50 draw is always appreciated but we don't have a goal for that. We just want to bring the conversation of woman abuse out into the community."
An awareness video will be shown on the Jumbo-Tron before the players take to the court at 7pm.
The Lightning have been partnering with the London Abused Women's Centre since 2011. The colour purple is used during the Shine the Light campaign because it represents courage, survival, and honour.