Prince George firefighters have their boots on the ground looking for a cure for muscular dystrophy.
The Prince George Fire Rescue Service Boot Drive for Muscular Dystrophy will be raising funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada at Pine Centre Mall, Costco, Wal-Mart and all four Save-on-Foods locations. In addition, a group of fire fighters will be stopping by local pubs on Friday night to collect donations.
"This has been going on for over 50 years now," local fire fighter Kevin Scobie said. "Prince George people are always generous, even when times are hard."
Canadian fire fighters have raised money to support muscular dystrophy research since 1954. In Prince George, the boot drive has over 30 years of history.
Regional muscular dystrophy boot drive advisor Ian Provan said Prince George fire fighters hope to raise over $25,000 this year.
"Every year the goal is to beat last year's record," Provan said. "[Local boot drive chairperson] Shane Lapierre and I go down to the regional conferences. When they bring in young kids with muscular dystrophy, it just breaks your heart. When you're in a room with big, tough fire fighters and they're wiping away tears, you know it's an important cause."
Both on and off-duty fire firefighters take part in the fundraising efforts over the two days, Provan said.
"Our chiefs support us to allow us to use the guys on shift," he said. "We have 125 members on the Prince George department. Everybody, throughout the two days, participates."
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic disorders which cause progressive wasting and weakness of the body's muscles. Muscular dystrophy can effect people at nearly any age and cause rob people of the ability to walk, speak and even breath.
There is currently no cure.
