Brighton rallied to honour fallen firefighters and their loved ones Thursday while welcoming more than 60 firefighters cycling from Hamilton to Ottawa.
This year marks the eighth edition of the annual firefighter memorial ride. A cross-Canada team of firefighters set out on their three-day, 575-kilometre trek on Wednesday, led by the Toronto Professional Firefighter Celtic Society.
Riders are set to arrive in Ottawa on Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, just ahead of a national memorial event in Ottawa on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Brighton Fire and Rescue proudly rode out to meet participating riders at the Cramahe-Brighton border Thursday, then escorted the contingent of 68 or so firefighters to the Elizabeth Street Station No. 1 for a brief break.
Memorial Bike Ride Brighton video
District Chief Peter Rappos with Station 114 in Toronto says the support means a lot to riders – and the families of fallen firefighters who lost their loved ones in the line of duty or to occupational-related illnesses.
Rappos tells us this year’s ride also rallied firefighters from across the nation.
After fueling up on food and refreshments in Brighton, riders hit the road again towards Ottawa with an escort to the Quinte West-Brighton border. They were set to make stops in Belleville, Napanee and Kingston before arriving at the Canadian Firefighters Memorial on Lett Street in Ottawa on Friday.
Mayor Brian Ostrander was among those who came out to greet riders as they stopped in Brighton.
As cyclists made their way into Brighton, residents were invited to line the streets and clap riders into town. Earlier in the day, riders also made a stop in Cobourg.
The memorial ride is aimed at raising funds and awareness for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation (CFFF.)
Rappos tells us more about the significance of the fundraising component of the ride.
According to a recent release, a record-setting 110 families are set to attend this weekend’s memorial event in Ottawa.
What’s more, according to the society, eight wildland firefighters – another record number – died last year, underscoring the extreme risks of their profession.
Their names and the memories of 152 other heroes will be etched onto the memorial wall this year, joining 1,897 names dating back to the late 1800s, reads the release.
The memorial often draws hundreds of firefighters from across the country.
Having already raised almost $400,000 to date, the goal for this year’s ride is an additional $100,000 in support of the CFFF, noted organizers, in the release.
“The memorial ride is a way to bring more firefighters, focus and support to the nation’s capital for the Canadian Firefighter Memorial,” added David Cossitt, president of the Toronto Fire Celtic Society and founder of the Memorial Bike Ride. “The ride supports the mission of the CFFF, to honour and remember firefighters who have been killed in the line of duty and to support their families.”
Cossitt has also co-ordinated the ride since its start eight years ago.
“We greatly appreciate people cheering us along the route. Encouragement truly boosts our spirits,” added Cossitt.
More information, including donor info, is accessible via www.celticfireride.ca.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt)
