Firefighters raise $60k at MD event

Fundraising efforts reached new heights this year among local fire departments.

More than $60,000 was raised for Muscular Dystrophy Canada through the annual ball tournament and auction held on the weekend of June 20-21.

Mesachie Lake fire Chief Nick Sohye expressed deep gratitude for the show of support from donors.

“Again it’s just unbelievable. It’s just really hard to put it into words,” said Sohye, whose son Adam has muscular dystrophy.

In its 30th year, the Mesachie Lake MD Ball Tournament and Auction got a big boost from one person in particular.

Eight-year-old Kalliana King, who had her pink-coloured hair shaved off for the fundraiser, helped to bring in $13,000 for the cause.

King, from Cowichan Bay, said she had no idea she would shatter her original goal of $500.

Her mother, Cathy, described her daughter’s effort as amazing.

“You can’t be any prouder,” Cathy King said. “She blew it out of the water.”

A trademark feature of the fundraiser is the auction, which was held on June 20. This year, one of the top items up for bid was a handcrafted birdhouse that sold for $5,800.

Nick Sohye said the other fire departments chipped in so Mesachie Lake could buy the piece.

This year’s total is up from the $48,000 raised in 2008.

Also as part of the events, firefighters from several participating departments set out on a 30-kilometre walk that started in Mill Bay and finished at Mesachie Lake. Along the way they passed around a boot to collect even more donations.

In tournament play, Lake Cowichan defeated Duncan in the final. The games were held at the Sky Dome in Mesachie Lake, on the same site as the auction.

- Lake Cowichan Gazette