Monday marked the 3rd annual Sledge Hockey Fundraiser for the Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Association of Manitoba. Nancy Spenst is President of the Association, one of the event organizers, and lives with Spina Bifida herself.

"The Spina Bifida itself is the spine, and what that is is your spinal cord is not developed at birth so it leaves a hole in your back and your spine is actually protruding out of your back, which is what happened to me," she says.

As well, 80 percent of people with Spina Bifida have Hydrocephalus at some point in their life, which is fluid around the brain. Spenst says it is not always easy to live with, but hosting the sledge hockey games is one way she can help others that are in the same boat.

"We have things that we deal with in our daily life that people don't know or talk about. There are things relating to the washroom that we have to deal with on a daily basis . . . It's a struggle, I'm in a wheelchair so right now with winter it's always a pain getting around ice and snow and that kind of thing."

She says the support from the community is overwhelming. This year saw 85 spectators, and the Morden Hawks couldn't wait to come back and play the Manitoba Sledgehammers.

"We have a lot of the association kids come out whether they're playing or just coming out for the attendance, and for me to get the hugs from the kids every time I see them, it's just wonderful," adds Spenst.

Attendees could also show their support through buying raffle tickets, tossing stuffed animals that will be donated to Katie Cares, or filling the stands to boost the energy of the players.

Spenst says, "a lot of people have had fun because there's a chance for people who aren't in wheelchairs to come out and actually try the sleds after the game."

The $3,200 raised will go towards the Association's medical, recreational, and benevolent funds.