Nick Gottfried is inspired.
Last year, Sooke firefighter Roy McTavish completed the Goodlife Victoria Marathon wearing full firefighter gear in an effort to raise money for Multiple Sclerosis Canada.
“I got inspired myself,” said Gottfried, a volunteer firefighter for the Sooke Fire Department. “It’s a good tradition from our department.”
Gottfried came across a story about a young 10-year-old boy, Dacian Filipescu who was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and greatly in need of a wheelchair van.
“It really hit home with me, I grew up involved with kids and this was a great chance that can greatly impact the life of a boy with muscular dystrophy.”
Duschenne muscular dystrophy is generally inherited and has no known cure and appears to affect young boys, although girls can be affected as well. In most cases those with muscular dystrophy lose their ability to walk.
The young boy’s family and friends are raising money to purchase a van capable of transporting Dacian and his motorized wheel chair, but the cost is hefty at $45,000. Gottfried hopes to be able to raise at least $1,000 which will all go towards the new van.
So, at 6:30 a.m. on October 12 Gottfried will run and walk the Goodlife Victoria Marathon in about 50 pounds of firefighter gear.
“My gear with SCBA adds about 45 lbs of extra weight, but we can loaded with up to 80 lbs of extra gear depending on the nature of the call.”
He expects to complete his run/walk shortly after 12 p.m.
Gottfried has been a fully-trained volunteer firefighter for the past year and has taken pre-service firefighter training in Texas.
There is a web site where those who wish to help can donate.
http://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/a-van-for-dacian/191432