In the past eight years, Greater Sudbury Fire Services has raised more than $25,000 for children's charities throughout the city by hosting one extreme event every summer.
Professional cowboys and cowgirls competed in events like saddle bronc riding at the Rawhide Rodeo at Belanger Farm in Azilda on July 9. Photo by Jenny Jelen.
On July 9, the Rawhide Rodeo Company stampeded to Belanger Farm in Azilda to give audiences a taste of professional rodeo competition.
Pat O'Link, district chief for Greater Sudbury Fire Services and event chairman, said about 2,500 people filled the stands to watch the show.
“This rodeo is full of bronc riding, bull riding and barrel racing,” he said. “It's a lot of fun for the whole family.”
O'Link said the firefighters opted to use a rodeo as a fundraiser because it's unique, and something families can enjoy. It's a sport many Sudburians can appreciate too.
“There's a lot of horse people in and around Sudbury, so (we thought) it would be a (good) fit for this area,” he said.
This year, proceeds from the event went to support the firefighters' charities of choice, including Camp Quality, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Sudbury, Muscular Dystrophy Canada and The Sudbury Manitoulin Children's Foundation. For the
first year, the firefighters also supported Whinnying for Life, a program that helps disabled children develop through the aid of miniature horses.
“It's all for the kids,” O'Link said.
-Posted by Jenny Jelen.
