Firefighters and burn survivors raised $200,068 for Burn Camp at the 27th annual Burn Camp Kick Off last week.
Hosted virtually, 100 young burn survivors and firefighters tuned in to celebrate Burn Camp.
Firefighters Brian Pederson and Kristy Storey hosted the event live from the Burn Fund Centre with the theme “Burn Camp Does the Oscars.”
Burn survivor Sammy Badger performed her original song, I am Phoenix, and comedic videos presented from firefighters announcing their donations took home awards like Best Action Adventure and Best Rescue Mission.
From water fights, to a Jumanji-themed cheque rescue mission, firefighters got creative to entertain the kids and pledge their support.
“The Burn Fund is the charity of all BC fire fighters and I am so proud of all of them who raise funds in their off duty time to support their home communities and continue to raise funds to support burn survivors in BC and Yukon,” said Gord Ditchburn, president of the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund.
A total of 29 firefighters and eight young burn survivors announced their donations to Burn Camp, despite COVID-19 cancelling numerous fundraisers.
The kids’ fundraisers totalled $18,185 and included everything from classic lemonade stands to a school-wide travel mug fundraiser.
Firefighters’ funds raised from across B.C. and Yukon totalled $181,883.
This is the first time in its 27-year-long history that Burn Camp has not taken place in person.
Hosted in July in Squamish, Burn Camp typically welcomes 70 - 80 burn survivors aged six to 18, and more than 60 firefighter and nurse volunteer counsellors.
The Burn Fund covers all Burn Camp expenses at a cost of about $3,000 per child, ensuring that every young burn survivor in B.C. has the opportunity to attend.
