MontrealAlouettes.com
TORONTO – Alouettes fans came to Toronto and conquered. The almost 400 fans who made their way to Rogers Centre aboard the Alouettes Fan Train went home happy and had some company in that department.
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Martin Bédard had his head shaved aboard the 2012 Alouettes Fan Train in support of Virgin Radio’s Shave to Save initiative. |
Their team, with whom they got to rub elbows with on the way back to Montreal, was just as giddy after sealing a postseason home game with their come-from-behind 24-12 win over the Argonauts. For those keeping track at home, the thrilling victory also improved the team’s Fan Train record since 2003 to a staggering 9-1.
Needless to say, it was smiles all around as groups of Als players waded through the nine train cars to thank the devoted supporters who made the trip. The dedicated legion of fans boarded the train at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday morning before gathering for a tailgate lunch at Boston Pizza and then making their noisy way to Rogers Centre for the 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
The trip back also included a nod to Women’s Cancer Awareness month. This year’s Alouettes Fan Train presented by VIA Rail Canada teamed up Virgin Radio’s Shave to Save initiative, with two Alouettes players accepting to have their heads shaven for the cause.
First up was long snapper Martin Bédard, who stepped forward to honour the memory his late parents and brother who lost their battles with cancer. Next under the clipper was rookie fullback Patrick Lavoie, who volunteered because he simply wanted to help the cause.
It marked the 12th edition of Shave to Save presented by Montreal’s Virgin Radio 96, with the initiative having raised more than $3.9 million for the fight against breast cancer since its launch in 2000.
Fans on board also chipped in to the tune of $2,393 in donations, with Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation representatives on the train to collect donations.
