Former Moose Jaw curler Skylar Ackerman has raised about $5,000 last weekend through a funspiel at the Ford Curling Centre.

Ackerman was the recipient of the Sandra Schmirler Junior Curling Scholarship over the summer and part of the scholarship was giving back to the foundation.

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation raises funds for newborn intensive care units.

“It’s a requirement for the scholarship but I think it’s really important to put money into NICUs because they are going to be the future champions,” Ackerman said.

The event consisted of two-on-two curling as well as regular four-on-four games. There were also silent auction and raffle prizes available.

“It was kind of a unique format which everyone seemed to enjoy,” Ackerman said.

Also in attendance for the event were some of Schmirler’s former teammates and Guy Scholz, author of the book about the Schmirler team titled Gold on Ice.