Lift contest raises $6,000
By Peter EppWednesday May 04, 2005
Rick Paxton speaks to a crowd of onlookers at Competitive Edge, following a contest where he and three other men collectively lifted 13,500 pounds in 300-pound weights, raising over $6,000 for Myles' Miracle Mission. Myles McLellan looks on in the background.
Peter Epp / Chatham This Week
Over $6,000 was raised for Myles' Miracle Mission on Friday afternoon, but not before 13,500 pounds was raised.
That was the collective amount of weight that four Chatham-Kent men bench-pressed at the Competitive Edge gymnasium in Chatham, in memory of William Paxton, 81, who died of cancer in early March.
Paxton's son, Rick, was among those who quickly lifted 300 pounds. In the younger Paxton's case, he lifted the weight 12 consecutive times, in front of a cheering throng of friends and supporters.
"The idea was to consecutively lift 300 pounds, and see how many times we could do it without stopping," the 45-year-old Paxton said.
"Some of the people who donated money to the cause did so by giving so much for each lift, while others just gave for the entire effort," he added. "We appreciate the contribution that everyone gave. It means a lot to Myles, and it means a lot to me personally."
Twelve-year-old Myles McLellan and his mother Susan were in the gymnasium to watch the competition. The money will go to the Camp Trillium Project, as well as the charity that was started by the Chatham youngster.
Competitor Tim Bentley, 34, of Chatham lifted the most -- bench-pressing the 300-pound weight 15 consecutive times.
Right behind him was 44-year-old Randy Debeck of Dresden.
Of the four competitors, Dennis Houle of Chatham was the oldest -- at 57. Houle, who has been keeping himself physically fit with strength training for many years, and says he's in the gym at least four times a week, lifted the 300-pound weight four consecutive times.
Among those cheering was Myles McLellan, who said he weighs only 120 pounds.
"I think it's great that they're helping to fight cancer," Myles told Chatham This Week.
"What they're doing today is going to help a lot of kids in the future."
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