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Cloverdale skate jam honours 2 murdered boys, shares anti-bullying message

JK All Day Memorial Sk8 Jam honoured Jamie Kehoe and Ethan Bespflug

The "JK All Day Memorial Sk8 Jam" was a big success, says organizer Jason Kehoe.

Along with the skateboarding portion of the all-day jam, it also featured guests speakers, live music, and a free BBQ for attendees.

“The event was awesome,” Kehoe said. “A lot of people showed up, tons of kids, gave out a lot of prizes. It was a great event overall.”

Kehoe said about two hundred people attended the skate jam over the course of the day, held at Cloverdale Youth Park Sept. 28.

“Lots of kids were there listening to our message.”

Jason started the JK All Day Memorial Sk8 Jam 12 years ago, in 2012, to honour his son Jamie Kehoe. Jamie was tragically murdered in 2011 on a Surrey city bus after trying to stop a fight. Over the years, Kehoe added anti-bullying messaging to the event. This year, he also honoured Ethan Bespflug at the skate jam, another boy murdered on a Surrey city bus.

Kehoe said Bikers Against Bullying were in attendance. Kehoe now plans to talk at some of their functions too.

“I’m going to start taking a more active approach to anti-bullying,” he added. “They really liked the message that I had for the kids and they’d like me to speak at some of their events as well.”

He’s hoping some of the crossover engagements will also highlight JK All Day and get more kids out to the 11th annual, set for next fall.

Kehoe said former Cloverdale-Langley City MP Tamara Jansen also attended the event, delivering an anti-bullying message.

Kehoe added he’d like to thank all the sponsors that helped him out.

“Too many to list,” he noted. “Everybody came through and just made it an awesome event.”

Kehoe, a Clayton resident, said he was humbled by the support and by the number of attendees.

“We’ll be back next year and for many years to come,” he added. “This event is actually growing big and it's starting to mean a lot to a lot of people.”

Visit JK All Day Memorial Sk8 Jam on Facebook for more info.



Malin Jordan

About the Author: Malin Jordan

Malin is the editor of the Cloverdale Reporter.
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