Members of the Prince Albert Fire Department receiving the Provincial Champion Award. (Facebook/Cole Amy)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Special Recognition

P.A. Firefighters receive award for ongoing work helping those with muscular dystrophy

Mar 24, 2023 | 1:00 PM

The Prince Albert Fire Department is being recognized provincially for its ongoing commitment to helping those with muscular dystrophy.

Muscular Dystrophy Canada recently presented the Firefighters Charity with the Provincial Champion Award for the multiple events they’ve held to raise funds for research and equipment for those who suffer from the disease.

Ryan Robin, the muscular dystrophy representative for the Prince Albert Firefighters, told paNOW the committee tasked with choosing the award recipients fell in love with their ‘Stop the Caroling Tour’ which they held back in 2021.

“We went around to a few businesses and organizations in the city and sang our best Christmas Carols and the idea was for them to have us stop singing, because of how bad it was, by making a donation and sending us along to another business.”

The event was able to raise around $1,500, even during extreme temperatures.

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Fast forward roughly 15 months later and the event ended up helping the Firefighters win the award.

“I never thought my singing would bring me some fame I guess,” Robin joked. “But, you never really expect to get an award for this kind of thing, you’re just trying to raise money for a good cause.”

There were other events the selection committee highlighted such as their ‘Rooftop Campout’ and ‘Fill the Boot.’ In fact, P.A. firefighters have been raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada since 1971 and over that time they’ve been able to collect around $128,000.

Meanwhile, some people might be wondering why fire departments across the country have such a close relationship with those who suffer from the disease.

For Robin, he believes it’s because they each share the same values.

“One of their values is courage. We bravely move forward even when we’re afraid and unsure of where the road will lead,” he said. “Think about that as a firefighter, that’s basically when we go to emergency situations.”

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow