Good support for bike auction fundraiser 0
Portage Emergency Services Chief Phil Carpenter outside the local fire hall in Portage la Prairie on May 7, 2012. The fire dept held its bike auction on May 5, 2012 to benefit the Firefighters burn fund. ...Staff photo by Angela Brown
There was strong support for Portage Emergency Services bike auction on Saturday, topping the amount raised the previous year.
"It went very well," said Portage Emergency Services Fire Chief Phil Carpenter Monday after doing the tally of the numbers.
"There was a good crowd and we raised just shy of $5,000 for our bikes for The Firefighters Burn Fund. It was great."
He said everyone in the province holds fundraiser events for the burn fund as the fund benefits everyone.
Bikes that were picked by the RCMP last year and were never claimed were contributed to the fire department's auction. Some bikes were also donated for the event, which benefits the Firefighters Burn Fund in Manitoba.
Carpenter said it was a good day for the auction, which was held outside the back of the fire department, under clear skies.
There were 130 bikes auctioned off at the event, with the highest bike, a mountain-bike model, sold for $205. Last year in comparison the amount raised from the event was $4,447, less than the roughly $5,000 made this year.
"The money goes to a good cause, and we appreciate people that have donated bikes towards the auction, and people that come forward and buy the bikes," said Carpenter.
He said some people also maybe put in a little more money towards the bike because they know the money goes directly to the firefighters burn fund.
"It's a win-win for everyone," said Carpenter.
Some people also stepped forward and made financial donations to the burn fund as well.
The Firefighters Burn Fund helps many individuals who have burn injuries.
"The main burn ward is at the Health Sciences Centre in Winnipeg," said Carpenter. "When burn injuries happen, they are a very painful injury."
He said sometimes individuals have to go through many operations for skin grafts. Treatments are also needed as a result of burn scarring. And afterwards, psychological support is required for the victim.
"They have children's burn camps where children get together that have burn injuries," said Carpenter. "They can relate to one another and (there are) activities for them for a weekend."
There are also symposiums to provide support to adults who are dealing with burn injuries.
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