Friends carry on fundraising for Mark Kirton's ALS battle

Though ALS took his life after eight years of battling the disease, Mark Kirton continues to inspire patients and fund-raising efforts.

A second Super Fund campaign draw with help from NHL teams that was going to feature Kirton as special guest at a Toronto gala was postponed when former Maple Leaf Kirton died Aug. 17, but not cancelled as friends carried on the campaign.

Monday night, at the Toronto home of Mike Wilson, Kirton’s friend and a well-known Leafs memorabilia collector and appraiser, a $50,000 donation was added to the ALS Super Fund through bids on eight NHL game-night celebrity packages.

Kirton’s player pals from the 1980s — Bruce Boudreau, Rick Vaive and Brad Smith — joined Wilson’s online tribute to Kirton’s efforts. Kirton not only fought ALS, but for the cause of resea