Turning $100 into a shiny new motorcycle might be easier than you think.
Firefighters from around the West Shore are selling a maximum of 500 tickets in raffling off a new Harley-Davidson Fatboy, with all proceeds from the fundraiser going to Muscular Dystrophy (MD)Canada.
“Through my years with (fundraising for MD) I have met numerous people affected by (the disease) and I see how what we do makes their lives that much easier,” said retired Langford deputy fire chief Kerry Zado, part of the raffle committee. “A pair of leg splints is $1,500. If a single mother with a kid with MD can’t afford the leg splints, the kid can’t walk. If I can buy another six months, another eight months or a year of that child walking, to me it’s all worth it.”
The disease has no known cure and can be characterized by progressive muscle weakness that can lead to a heart problems, breathing challenges and even death.
Zado said he’s seen too many young people die from the fatal disease, including a good friend’s daughter, who passed away at 21 a couple of years ago.
Firefighters began supporting those affected by MD in 1954. Zado took up the fundraising challenge shortly after starting his career 26 years ago, and even in retirement, the cause is still something he is passionate about.
“(With) the research and equipment we supply now, kids that were (once) dying at 16 to 18 years old are now living into their 40s,” he said. “We’re hoping this (raffle) sells out fairly quickly.”
The firefighters’ charitable arm purchased the bike for a “very good deal” from Steve Drane Harley-Davidson, now known as Barnes Harley-Davidson, Zado said.
Anyone interested in purchasing tickets can contact the Langford Fire Department at 250-478-9555 and ask for Kathy, or email
winafatboy@gmail.com. The draw takes place July 4 at Barnes Harley-Davidson as part of their hog rally.
alim@goldstream
gazette.com