Langley Township firefighters found a lot of money in their boots for Muscular Dystrophy Canada this year.
The annual Muscular Dystrophy Boot Drive collected more than $37,700 this year from Langley residents. The cheque was presented Monday, Dec. 3 at the Langley Township council meeting.
Paid call Captain Peter Taylor credited the fundraising blitz to the support of Langley Township citizens.
Earlier this year, firefighters were worried that their September boot drive was impacted by a major emergency incident.
Numerous firefighters were busy dousing a stubborn multi-day bark mulch fire at a North Langley industrial site at the same time as the drive was on.
Firefighters were working long shifts and exhausted as crew after crew headed out to pour water on the smouldering fire, but lack of sleep didn’t keep them from holding up their rubber boots to collect cash.
Since 1995, the Township firefighters have raised $413,657 for Muscular Dystrophy Canada, and it is one of the top fundraisers in B.C., locked in a friendly competition with the Burnaby firefighters for the top spot in the province.
Devon Bailey of Muscular Dystrophy Canada noted that funding goes towards research into the disease, as well as supports for those living with it.
This year, the society helped purchase a new powered wheelchair for Doug Penner, a Langley teenager who has Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy.
Powered wheelchairs with major modifications can cost up to $100,000 said Bailey.
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