Brynäs harnesses the power with Game for Börje — 10.5 million for the foundation
No one has missed Brynäs Game for Börje event in early February. It was strong, emotional and a lot of joy when new and old hockey friends were there to honor and pay tribute to a great hockey player and human being. Together with the entire Swedish people, it was a huge boost and a contribution of just over SEK 10.5 million to ALS research and the Börje Salming ALS Foundation.
It started as an idea of Stig Salming and Urban Johansson, long-time friend of Börje Salming. To arrange a match for Börje in Brynäs. Would it go?
Johan Cahling, Sustainability and Commercial Manager at Brynäs, asked the Salming family and everyone, including Börje, thought it was a good idea.
“Börje said, use the force so that more people get away with this shit, and by crap Börje meant ALS,” recalls Johan Cahling.
Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni on site
And so did Brynäs and Johan Cahling. Stars from the Tre Kronor Legends and Toronto Maple Leafs Alumni were contacted and all lined up. TV4 cleared the tables and brought the editorial staff of Nyhetsmorgon, Efter fem and TV4 sport to Gävle.
It was magical and everything fell into place. We removed all the advertising in the hall and put the longest Sami bracelet in the world along the side of the sarge. That's how Börje wanted it. The fight against ALS will never end.
Saturday was a long and warm tribute to Börje. More than 550,000 people followed the television broadcasts from the sofa and many remember when Jon Henrik Fjällgren yodeled while Börje's wasp was hoisted up to the roof of the arena and the Salming family stood on the red carpet of the ice, holding each other.
“It was emotionally strong and everyone was touched by both Börje's greatness and the lack of him.
More than 10.5 million for ALS research
The Alumni match between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Tre Crowns became a friendly match that ended in Canada's favour.
The day ended with a banquet in Gävles Gasklockan with many speeches and tributes to Börje. There was also a great deal of joy from those who have had the opportunity to play and hang out with Börje Salming, not least from his old Toronto Maple Leafs teammates who were on the scene.
It turned out as Börje wanted. That Brynäs, team Johan Cahling, partners and the Swedish people used the power. Game for Börje gave the Borje Salming ALS Foundation 10,514,198 kronor. The cheque was handed over during An Evening for Börje at Berns on 26 April.
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