By Dan Marshall

16-year-old Nanaimo golfer gives back to the community through Birdies for Health

Apr 4, 2017 | 7:09 PM

NANAIMO – Shirin Anjarwalla is using her golf talents to help others.
 
The 16-year-old hopes to raise $2,500 for the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation through tournaments she’s playing in this year.
 
Her charitable program called Birdies for Health was inspired by an illness in her own family.
 
“When I was nine years old my dad had a heart attack which affected my family quite a bit. Being healthy, and active, and golfing was really important to all of us after that. I think this is a good way to remember and help everybody else who’s going through something like that,” Anjarwalla said. 
 
After the first tournament the money raised was $150 with nine more events scheduled between now and August.
 
This isn’t the first time Anjarwalla has stepped up to help a cause, she’s been fundraising for the Heart and Stroke Foundation for the past five years.
 
After talking with her mom she decided to use her status as an amateur golfer to help support heart health in the community.
 
“My mom and I thought of this recently because golf became more prominent in my life,” Anjarwalla said. “I’ve been playing more and playing in more tournaments so we thought that would be a good way to get the word out and raise funds.”
 
In 2016, the Nanaimo golfer finished first at the Odlum Brown Classic in July, and was runner up at the Prairie Links Championship in June.
 
She competed in a total 12 events during the season.
 
Anjarwalla started playing golf when she was very young as a way to bond with her brothers, and the connection to her family has been strengthened through her fundraising initiative.
 
“Getting my name out there, helping the community while I’m at it, doing these things to help my family and everybody around me just feels good,” Anjarwalla said.
 
Donations for Birdies for Health can be made at the Nanaimo Hospital Foundation website under the community events tab.
 
There are options to put money towards heart health initiatives or other important needs for the foundation.
 
 
dan.marshall@jpbg.ca
 
On twitter: @danmarshall77