A weekend of rooftop camping by firefighters brought in support for muscular dystrophy in Medicine Hat. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Jayk Sterkenburg

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat firefighters raise $13K for muscular dystrophy with rooftop campout

Apr 14, 2025 | 2:15 PM

Medicine Hat Firefighters descended the roof of Fire Station No. 2 Sunday after a weekend of camping out to fundraise for people living with muscular dystrophy, raising $13,348 for the cause.

The four firefighters were relatively fortunate over the weekend, enjoying a high of 16 C on Saturday — but also braved winds up to 72 kilometres per hour, and a nearby tornado in Rolling Hills Saturday evening.

(from left to right) Dylan Yankee, Brett Allen, Vaughn Row, and Ryan Creasey. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Medicine Hat fire fighter Vaughn Row said the fundraiser for Muscular Dystrophy Canada builds a sense of community.

“It helps us realize that we’re not in this alone, and just makes us feel more connected, as one,” he said.

IN THE COMMUNITY

HALO Air Ambulance receives $50K donation from Medicine Hat energy company

A few moments ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat dress store investigated by police after non-fulfillment of orders

16h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Prizes up for grabs for 'Litter Blitz' clean-up participants in Medicine Hat

17h ago

Dylan Gustafson, fire fighter and director of the Medicine Hat Firefighters Charitable Foundation, said for 70 years firefighters across Canada have been supporters of the cause.

“Over time, we took it to the roof,” he said.

“[The] guys decided that, ‘If somebody could live with muscular dystrophy, we could spend a weekend on the roof, out of our comfort zone’.

Since 1954, firefighters have raised nearly $100 million, and made a difference for the Canadian neuromuscular community. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

Fire fighter Dylan Yankee said the weekend challenge doesn’t even come close to what those with muscular dystrophy live with.

“We can’t put ourselves in their shoes at all,” he said.

“But what we can do — from our point, and with our community outreach and our image in the community — is bring awareness as much as we can through these events,” he added.

“That’s what it’s about, is bringing awareness. We’re not trying to to replicate that [challenge], or anything like that. But it just gives us an opportunity to bring it to light, that it’s out there, it’s prevalent in our community, and in our country.”

Yankee said that, as community members and figures, the firefighters can help out a little bit for a weekend.

“It’s the least we can do for some of these people,” he said.