Firefighters from every fire department along the lakeshore in Northumberland County went for a long walk on Saturday, November 30, 2024 raising awareness and funds for Movember.
Through their efforts they came in forth across Canada in funds raised.
Cobourg and Alnwick/Haldimand Township firefighter Mark Mitro organized the event called the Lakeshore Firefighters Walk which entailed firefighters walking from the west end of Northumberland County to the east end.
Last year Mitro organized an event called “Lake to Lake where firefighters walked from Rice Lake to Lake Ontario in Grafton.
This year he wanted to change it up a bit and with the help of Northumberland County firefighters the event was a huge success.
Approximately 100 firefighters took part in the event which started off at 7 a.m. at the Municipality of Port Hope carrying the Movember flag through Port Hope, down Walton Street to their border on County Road 2 where they were met by Hamilton Township firefighters. From then it was on to Cobourg where fire crews walked through the town to their border, where once again Hamilton Township firefighters carried the torch to Alnwick, Haldimand Township. Then it was on to Cramahe Township and finally Brighton finished off the walk at around 7 p.m.
Today’s Northumberland spoke to Mitro at the Welcome Firehall just before the walk started.
With high winds and chilly temperatures hovering around freezing, Mitro summed it up by saying it was a “blistery cold morning.”
“It’s about spreading the word for Movember and men’s health, early suicide prevention, PTSD, depression – all the things that seem to hit first responders.”
Mitro started the Movember events approximately five years ago when a firefighter was diagnosed with testicular cancer that when doctors investigated, “there was a lot more happening.”
“We’ve still got him today – he’s a fighter. And that started our push for Movember.”
Now the month has also expanded including the mental health of first responders.
“Getting the mind right and knowing when to chat with your friends and talk through things.”
Mitro said it was a great chance for firefighters to also get together for a common cause.
“Rarely do we get the whole County of fire departments together, so it was nice building this event.”
“It was awesome to see it come together.”
In total, just over $14,000 was raised for Movember.
Amounts raised across Northumberland County
Brighton Fire and Rescue $4,936.00
Cramahe Fire Department $4,000.25
Alnwick/Haldimand Fire Department $3,717.80
Port Hope Firefighters $1,455.00
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
