Sixty-seven firefighters from across Canada stop in Belleville Thursday as they ride from Hamilton to Ottawa in the eighth annual Celtic Memorial Fire Ride.
The three-day, 575 kilometre ride which aims to raise funds and awareness for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation ends Friday at the National Firefighter Memorial in the nation’s capital.
It is organized by the Toronto Professional Firefighter Celtic Society.
The memorial pays tribute to firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty or due to occupational illnesses.
There will be 160 names added to the memorial this year, including eight wildland firefighters who died last year, joining the 1897 names dating back to the late1800s.
Since its inception, the ride has raised over $400,000 for the Canadian Fallen Firefighters Foundation and the goal for this year’s ride is $100,000.
The ride stops at Belleville Fire Station 1 at noon.
Donations can be made through the Ride’s website.