With just over a week to go until Ashley Chester’s minor sports fundraising day, the movement is gaining momentum.

The 11-year-old Greendale elementary school student has spent the last couple months planning an event to raise funds for disadvantaged youth playing minor football, hockey and soccer.

On Nov. 14 at the Chapman Auctioneers property, Ashley will provide rides (by donation) on her uncle Paul’s monster truck.

A number of side events have been planned, including a barbecue and a raffle.

Hofstede’s Country Barn and Cooper’s Foods are among the local businesses who have answered the call for donations, coming forward with supplies for the barbecue.

On the raffle side, there are some nifty items up for grabs — a one-week all-inclusive week at a cabin in the Shuswap is one of the bigger prizes and the Westerm Hockey League’s Kelowna Rockets have donated box tickets to a future game. Teksmed Services has donated a box (seating 14 people) and two parking passes for an upcoming Chilliwack Bruins game.

Among the unexpected respondees, Ashley has heard from a pair of Vancouver-based professional sports teams.

“The Whitecaps (soccer) sent representatives to her school last week to present her with game tickets and a scarf,” said Ashley’s dad, Dave. “And it looks like the Vancouver Canadians baseball team will be sending something out to be raffled off, and Ashley will be invited to a game in 2010 where she’ll receive an award for doing all of this.”

As final preparations and promotions proceed, Ashley is planning to be at the Wednesday afternoon Chilliwack Bruins home game against the Vancouver Giants, accompanied by the monster truck.

Somewhere in the parking lot, a car decked out in Giants colours will be crushed by the truck, and Ashley will use the occasion to continue drumming up support.

All money raised will be distributed to Chilliwack’s minor hockey, soccer and football associations. It will then be re-directed to children who may not be able to play sports due to financial hardship.

To get involved, contact Dave Chester by phone at 604-792-5029 or by e-mail at .