VIDEO: Winter camp out for a cause
Winnipeg fire fighters raise $ 49,100 for muscular dystrophy
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This article was published 13/03/2014 (4356 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
For 72 hours, four firefighters camped out on top of the Osborne Village Fire Station with the goal of raising $30,000 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
Sleeping on the roof was five-time camper Chad Swayze, second-time camper and 49-year volunteer for MD Alan Bartley, and rookie campers Ben Ritchie and Mike Lisowick. Together with their fellow firefighters they raised $49,100 with more donations still being counted.
“Lot of people dropping by, and keeping us busy,” said Ritchie, who’s been a firefighter for two and half years. “So that’s good.”
The partnership between Muscular Dystrophy Canada and firefighters has been ongoing for the past 60 years, according to a release. The term muscular dystrophy covers over 15 types of neuromuscular disorders characterized by deteriorating and weakening muscle. Victims may lose simple abilities like walking, speaking, and even breathing. There is still no cure.
After one night the rookies said it hasn’t been too bad because they’ve been kept busy with activities.
“We had zumba yesterday, a workout planned for this afternoon, we just had some facials done, and we’ve got some manicures coming up,” Lisowick said.
For the manicures, Ritchie picked an electric blue polish, while Lisowick made the mistake of letting Swayze chose his colour: bright pink.
Later on, he managed to make a sneaky switch to a baby blue hue.
Providing the cuticle makeover were the ladies from Strada Personal Spa (445 Stradbrook Ave.) across the street.
“They’re extremely good sports,” said Jennifer Bialek, esthetician from Strada. “They pick out colours, orange, red, flashy colours, everything. Really good sports, it’s awesome.”
Throughout the week local Osborne merchants spoiled the firefighters with cakes from Baked Expectations and coffee and biscuits from Starbucks, then worked them off with zumba class from Zumbamamas.com and a boot camp class from Brickhouse Gym.
Residents can still donate online at muscle.ca/campout
