July 5th to 13th, 2024
Fish 1 Day
Awards banquet on the 13th of July
*Participation in the fishing tournament is not required to contribute to the fundraising efforts *
100% of donations and all proceeds from the tournament, t-shirt sales, and banquet tickets go directly to NF2 BioSolutions to aid in their search for a cure! Entry to the tournament includes one t-shirt and six banquet tickets. Extra t-shirts and banquet tickets are available.
For rules or information about the tournament and party, please contact Kevin Dougherty at [email protected] or 484-347-1174 (text me, too!).
Please calculate your donation using the list below:
1) $500 Tournament Entry Fee. Price includes 1 dry-fit T-shirt and 6 tickets to the party.1)
2) $50/ea – Dry-Fit long sleeve T-shirts (participation not required)
3) $50/ea – extra banquet tickets
4) donations of any amount are greatly appreciated!
Door Prizes!!! Assorted tackle, swag, and gift certificates ranging in value from $50 to $150.
For more sponsorship information or to help support the event, please contact Kevin at [email protected].
Q&A with Kevin Dougherty, the founder of Avalon Invitational Offshore Fishing Tournament, Fishing for a Cure.
Q: What is your relationship with NF2?
Kevin: My connection to NF2 Biosolutions is Dr. Nicole Henwood (founder of the charity) and Andy Henwood. Their son, AJ, received a diagnosis in 2018, and as lifelong friends, I found this to be the best way to support them. I consider them family, and my connection to this cause is direct.
Q: Tell me about your fundraiser.
Kevin: The Avalon Invitational is an annual offshore fishing tournament featuring 30 boats (and growing), 18 sponsors, and countless donors. Contestants target ‘big game’ fish such as Tuna, Wahoo, and Swordfish to see who can catch the heaviest three fish combined during one day of fishing.
Q: Exciting! How does the tournament raise money?
Kevin: The fundraising comes from the contestants themselves, who pay an entry fee, sponsors who support our cause with cash, services, & and merchandise, proceeds from tournament t-shirt sales, and the generosity of people in and around the sport of Saltwater fishing. 2019 was the tournament’s first year, and we raised $8000 for NF2 research. It has increased in size each year since, and total donations generated by the event exceeded $100,000 by the end of the 4th year.
Q: This sounds like a lot of work! Tell us about the commitment.
Kevin: I can still drive the fundraiser primarily on my own with some help from NF2 BioSolutions folks like Gilles Atlan and Nicole Henwood. While the time commitment is still significant, it is important to me to contribute meaningfully to Andy, Nicole, and AJ’s cause. The generosity of friends and sponsors inspires me to keep it going annually.
Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Kevin: The sponsors and donors need to be thanked. While I was inspired in the first year, I was overwhelmed in the second year with donations and sponsorships more than doubled year-over-year! My sponsors are primarily “shop local” types of businesses, but for anyone who wants to support or thank them for their contributions, their website contacts page is linked below. I am sure they’d love to hear from you all, even if it is to say thanks for supporting the tournament.