A special group of VIPs gets set to take part in a ceremonial puck drop at last night's Cariboo Cougars' game

Prince George, BC – Jameson Jones is one special boy…

The local 10-year-old is a brain cancer survivor who, last night, gave back to the community in so many ways.

For the past four years, the youngster has been honoured by the Prince George Cariboo Cougars at a regular season game with a ceremonial puck drop and cancer fundraiser. 

The 5th annual event went last night as part of the Cariboo Cougars' first game in the new Kin One Arena, and the red carpet for the puck drop was expanded to include 17 other local youngsters who are currently undergoing treatment, or have been treated in the past, at BC Children's Hospital.

"We wanted to invite others because Jameson gets such a thrill out of the night and we thought there are so many kids from Prince George who go down to that hospital for treatment every year," says dad, Doug Jones.  "We thought having them here tonight would shed light on that fact."

"It's very special for Jameson, but to see the same expression on so many kids' faces is very cool," adds Jones.

18-year-old Quade Louie was thrilled to be asked to participate. (shown at left speaking with Cougar Chase Dubois during the puck drop)

He's been travelling to BC Children's Hospital his entire life, with his next surgery scheduled in just 10 days time.

"I've been looking forward to this day ever since I was invited," says the young man.  "It really means a lot to me.  And I think it's such a great way to honour the kids who have to go for treatment."

Five-year-old James Torraville was also there to take part with his mom, Stefanie Watson.

James is fighting acute lymphoblastic leukemia and receives treatment locally once per month, but also travels to Vancouver for treatment every three months.

He told his mom he was 'a little concerned' about not bringing along his helmet for his walk onto the ice, but he was very excited to meet the players.

Watson says fundraisers like this are so important for families dealing with medical and travel expenses.  "So many families stepped forward to help us, that I just felt it was important to be here to support another local family."

Donations received at last night's game are going to help the family of Olivia Langdon-Davies.  The 12-year-old Prince George girl is currently receiving cancer treatment in Vancouver.  She is a former student of Cougars head coach, Bryan MacLean.  He says he got to know her well last year and is wishing her the best as her treatment progresses.  "She's a quiet, confident kid who works really hard and she's going to work really hard to beat it."

In the lobby before last night's game, Jameson and his sister, Hannah, held their own, smaller fundraiser for Olivia's family, with a jelly bean count raffle.  The table was surrounded by kids waiting to pay their dollar to take a guess at the number of candies in the glass jar.  His 15-year-old sister, Sarah, was working with the Cougars to accept donations at the door.

The total raised was for the Langdon-Davies family was $2625 and the Grewall Group/Subway donate 60-thousand travel points.