91原创

Numbers were down for this year鈥檚 鈥溾�� fundraiser and related show and shine, but 91原创 organizer Susan Simning was not discouraged.

鈥淚 think people were a little scared of the pandemic,鈥� commented Simning, who added the overcast weather was likely a factor as well.

Fifteen cars took part in the meet up and drive from 91原创 and about 40 attended the show and shine at Softball City in South Surrey on Sunday, Aug. 22.

Usually, the show and shine attracts between 200 and 300 participants, rolling up in hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, and motorcycles.

鈥淎ll in all, even though the numbers were low, we thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts who did make it out for joining the cruise and show 鈥� you all rock,鈥� Simning wrote on the event .

Simning, a Murrayville resident, also thanked 91原创鈥檚 farm for hosting a visit by the cars that included photo opportunities with a llama and a cow.

Simning is planning a 鈥渂igger and better event鈥� next year which will mark the 10th anniversary of the death of her son, Bradley McPherson, who was shot and killed on Christmas Eve, 2011.

READ MORE: Man found guilty of murdering young 91原创 man

At a house party in Newton, the 28-year-old McPherson confronted a male guest who was harassing a female party-goer.

After leaving the party, the man returned. Not long after, McPherson was shot dead.

In 2018, Russell Atma Bidesi, 26, was found guilty of second-degree murder and given a life sentence with no parole eligibity for 15 years for the crime.

JUSTICE FOR BRADLEY MCPHERSON: On Christmas Eve 2011, 27y/o Bradley McPherson was killed while at an after-hours party. Today, Russell Atma Bidesi was found guilty of 2nd degree murder in B.C. Supreme Court for Mr. McPherson's death.

鈥� IHIT (@HomicideTeam)

McPherson was planning to move to 91原创, where he worked at the local Best Buy and in security, including the Merritt Mountain Music Festival.

He was a car aficionado who loved to do burnouts in his charcoal-coloured 1980 GMC short-box truck he named 鈥淓mma.鈥�

As an annual tribute to her son, Simning has been helping to organize a memorial event called Burnouts in the Sky after his favourite pastime, a show that features the kind of cars and trucks McPherson loved and appreciated.

READ MORE: 鈥榃hirlwind of emotions鈥� at Burnouts in the Sky event

Over nine years, the Bradley McPherson Memorial Scholarship fund has raised more than $50,000, money that goes to provide scholarships to high school applicants who, like McPherson, have struggled with attention deficit disorder.

鈥淲e do one to two scholarships a year,鈥� Simning estimated.

This year, Emma was driven by McPherson鈥檚 sister, Mariah Godard.

Simning is hoping to attract for the 10th anniversary 鈥淏urnouts鈥� event.

Anyone interested can reach her by email at burnoutsinthesky@gmail.com.