Photo courtesy Northern Trek for CFFF Facebook page

By Jeff Henson

NORTHERN TREK

Fifth annual Northern Trek run surpasses $20k mark in fundraising for CFFF

Aug 11, 2022 | 11:24 AM

A firefighter from the Peace River area has recently completed the fifth edition of a run that raises money for a charity that supports sick or deceased firefighters and their families.

Julien Bergeron is deputy fire chief with Northern Sunrise County and recently completed his “Northern Trek” from Valleyview to the Alberta/ BC border.

He says the run has met his goal of raising more money each year.

“In 2018, we raised $13,550. In 2019 there was $15,050, in 2020 it was $16,400, in 2021 there was $17,400 raised, and we are over $20,000 so far this year.”

The run started in Valleyview on August 5th and wrapped up at the BC border this past Tuesday.

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Bergeron says drivers along the route were very supportive of him.

“I had the advantage of having support from all of the fire departments in the area in that there was not one moment where I did not have a fire department vehicle as an escort. So I had red lights following me all of the way, giving a good heads-up to motorists as they were approaching me and allowing them to slow down.”

Bergeron adds the many honks and well wishes he received from motorists were also a huge motivator in pushing him to complete the run.

Money raised during the walk goes to the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation, and Bergeron says looking after fellow firefighters is extremely important to anybody that takes on the risk of doing the job.

“Unfortunately, not everybody gets to go home at the end of the day. Some of our firefighters do pass away, whether it is job-related or anything like that. It is very important that there are supports in place to make sure that the families of the ones that have passed away are looked after.”

Anyone still wishing to donate can do so until the end of September.

A link to donate can be found on the “Northern Trek for CFFF” Facebook page.

You can also find that link here