BeneRock 4 rocks for hospice

Clyde’s in Pointe Claire was once again the venue for the latest in a series of fundraisers for the West Island Palliative Care Residence.

The BeneRock 4 dance held Saturday comes on the heels of BeneWalk, which was held in Kirkland a week before.

“It was our first walkathon. It was a family-oriented event, and we raised $2,643 for the centre through pledges. We had good weather and there was a good turnout,” said organizer and Pierrefonds resident Michael Dogniaux.

“The dance was the fifth charity event my organization has held since June 2007. In all the two events raised $3,678,” he said, adding all BeneRock benefits are run by a dedicated group of volunteers.

“We got a lot of good feedback and many of the people who were at Clyde’s were new to our dances, which told me the word is starting to get around. Several had been involved with the palliative care residence at some point, mostly with a loved one currently there or having spent some time there in the past,” Dogniaux said.

“I feel it’s my civic duty to get out there and get involved. And I find it fun,” said the former scout leader.

“It all started when I got a phone call last year from a friend of mine who is a nurse for a palliative care facility in England, offering me an opportunity to join a fundraising team.”

Dogniaux accepted the challenge. He climbed a 14,000-ft. mountain in Morocco, raising thousands of dollars for the Marie Curie Cancer Care foundation.

“When I got back from Morocco I thought of doing something on a local level, so I organized a dance last November, with all proceeds going to Enfant Retour. This past April we held a second dance, and donated all the monies raised to the palliative care residence.”

All bands who have performed at the BeneRock events have donated both their time and talent, and the venue is also provided free of charge. Last Saturday’s dance featured the West Island rock band Big Fun.