The Canadian Cancer Society was presented with the cheque from the Shoot for the Cure campaign ©U SPORTS

The U SPORTS women’s basketball fundraising initiative raised CAD$106,000 (£59,000/$77,000/€68,000) for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) and local charities. 

Entitled "Shoot for the Cure", the campaign raised $70,800 (£39,000/$51,000/€45,000) for CCS, with the remainder going to similar local and provincial charities. 

CCS fundraising assistant Mairi Liska was presented with a cheque at the U SPORTS Final Eight Basketball Championships by Jeff Speedy, Shoot for the Cure project manager. 

The initiative has been running since 2007, accumulating $1.5 million (£840,000/$1million/€960,000) in donations to date. 

U SPORTS schools raised money at games for the Shoot for the Cure campaign ©U SPORTS
U SPORTS schools raised money at games for the Shoot for the Cure campaign ©U SPORTS

Forty-eight U SPORTS women's basketball programmes participated this year, with the Ontario Tech Ridgebacks signing up to the scheme for their debut season. 

U SPORTS schools raised money at regular season games in the Canadian university leagues. 

"The ongoing support of U SPORTS women’s basketball since 2007 is so appreciated," said CCS regional executive director Jane Parsons.

"The ongoing commitment of these young adults in their support for the breast cancer cause is admirable."