Remembering the fallen: Seventh annual Firefighter Bike Pilgrimage arriving in Ottawa Sept. 8
Posted Sep 7, 2023 09:50:02 AM.
Last Updated Sep 7, 2023 01:05:20 PM.
The seventh annual Firefighter Bike Pilgrimage has hit the road to Ottawa.
Seventy-four firefighters from across Ontario and as far away as Montreal and Newfoundland and Labrador left Hamilton on Wednesday, Sept. 6 and will arrive at Ottawa’s National Firefighters Memorial on Friday, Sept. 8. The 575 km journey culminates in a remembrance event at the memorial on Sunday, Sept. 10.
Led by the Toronto Professional Firefighter Celtic Society (TPFCS), the 575 km bike ride raises funds and awareness for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation.
“We greatly appreciate people cheering us along the route,” says David Cossitt, president of TPFCS. “Encouragement truly boosts our spirits.”
Among those being remembered this year are Ottawa firefighter Ryan Hill, who tragically lost his life at 37 due to brain cancer linked to his service, Toronto Fire Captain Norman Sinclair, Toronto District Chief Chris Cochon, and Toronto Fire Caption Brad Andrews, among several others.
Their names and the memories of 82 other heroes will be etched onto the Memorial Wall this year, joining the 1,811 names dating back to the late 1800s.
The goal this year is to raise $100,000 and you can make a donation here.
