Nelson Fire Fighters brave cold to help fight Muscular Dystrophy
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By Bruce Fuhr, The Nelson Daily
It’s a room, a very large room, with a view. Two Nelson Fire Fighters are holding a 56-hour camp out on the rooftop of the Nelson Safeway to raise $10,000 to help fight Muscular Dystrophy in Canada.
“No,” Martin Ouellette said when asked if he and his partner, Bob Patton were a little crazy. “We’re just braving the elements in support of a good cause.”
The cause is fighting Muscular Dystrophy — a group of over 100 types of neuromuscular disorders characterized by the wasting and progressive weakness of muscles.
Over time, many people with neuromuscular disorders are unable to walk, speak, or ultimately breathe. Some diseases are life threatening and presently, there is no cure.
The idea originated in Edmonton where fire fighters stage this event on an annual basis.
“We got the idea during a conference from fire fighters in Edmonton and decided to give it a try,” said Patton, helped on then ground by an army of Nelson Fire Fighters.
“We camped out two years ago on the roof of Sidewinders,” Ouellette added. “It was very successful so we thought we’d do it again, this time at Safeway.”
Patton and Ouellette took to the roof at 9 a.m. Friday morning and plan on staying on top of the roof until Saturday at 5 p.m. The pair has a tent, sleeping bags and air mattresses — nothing extravagant here.
A $10 donation gets the donor a Christmas ornament. Donate $20 and receive a income tax receipt. For a $50 the donor receives a gander from the top of the ladder on the ladder truck.
As of Thursday night, with help from a surprise visit from Santa, the pair had hauled in approximately $3000 toward the goal of 10 grand.
And the weather for the next few days — clear and cold with nighttime lows of minus-6 Thursday and minus-7 Friday.
“I have lots of layers on,” Patton confessed.
Which is a good thing considering the only good thing about this room is the view.
To donate online go to:
http://www.muscle.ca/western-canada/ways-to-give/fundraising-events/fire-fighter-campouts/nelson-fire-fighter-campout.html
sports@thenelsondaily.com
