Annual Welland hockey tournament keeps the memory of Julia Turner alive 

Hockey is healing a community still mourning the loss of one of its own. Julia Turner was 15 years old when a brain tumour took her life, and a charity hockey tournament is keeping her memory alive.

It started 20 years ago, as a way for a group of hockey lovers to give back to their community.

When Julia found out it was for the Hope Centre in Welland, she was all in. Now, 15 years after her passing, hockey is helping heal those she left behind.

This annual hockey tournament not only keeps her memory alive but continues to give back to one of her favourite charities, the Hope Centre in Welland.

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Paul Turner is Julia’s dad. Paul says the diagnosis came, and seven months later it took his daughter’s life. This tournament, he explains, is a way for her family and friends to heal from the loss.

“To keep her memory alive is like absolutely incredible, and here we are 15 years later, and we’re still doing it.”

The first tournament raised $5,000 for the Hope Centre in Welland. Now, through Julia’s legacy and the growing community support, organizers say they have raised over $70,000 this year.

“The fact that there are funds that support our food bank is great. It shows the generosity of our community and how supporting the most vulnerable in our community means to everybody in Welland,” says CEO of the Hope Centre, Jon Braithwait.

The Hope Centre not only helps with food insecurity but offers housing help and counselling. Organizers say Julia would have been proud to see how the community has fueled her legacy over the years.

If you would like more information on how to donate or help, visit their website at Julia’s Hope Cup.

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