Saanich Peninsula firefighters filled their boots to the brim this past weekend.
The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department raised $10,643 and their Central Saanich counterparts raised $3,786.84 for the annual Muscular Dystrophy boot drive.
“This exceeded our expectations,” Sidney Volunteer Fire Department firefighter Barry Wills said. “It is probably around $3,000 more than we have raised any other year. The folks in Sidney stepped up in a big way. It was so heartwarming. The town never ceases to amaze me.”
The Sidney Volunteer Fire Department was collecting donations at Beacon Plaza and Thrifty Foods. Central Saanich firefighters were at the Peninsula Co-op and Thrifty Foods grocery stores.
“People were very charitable this weekend,” Central Saanich Fire Department Lt. John Inoke said. “I was cruising around to the different locations collecting the funds from the booths. I think it was a success for sure regardless of how much we raised.”
The boot drive raises funds for Muscular Dystrophy Canada.
“We have a committee dedicated to muscular dystrophy fundraising in Sidney,” Wills said. “We talk about it every month. It’s something that we in the fire service have really attached ourselves to and feel extremely passionate about. It’s very important.”
The North Saanich Fire Department is also taking part in the fundraiser this upcoming weekend.
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