The Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal (SIM) and the Centre des services financiers des pompiers are once again joining forces to support the Grand défi Pierre Lavoie (GDPL). This major Quebec campaign is intended to convince young people of the importance of healthy lifestyles, and physical activity in particular.

Why are SIM employees getting involved?
SIM employees are natural ambassadors for healthy lifestyles. They are seen as models of physical fitness by the public and especially by children. Last year’s campaign was an opportunity for SIM employees to forge strong ties with their community.

How are they involved?
Their role is mainly to visit schools sponsored by SIM teams and to raise funds for the cause. A number of activities are planned to get children moving: soccer and dodgeball games as well as firefighter obstacle courses. All the money raised will go toward buying sports equipment for the sponsored schools.

In 2014, no fewer than 43 cubes full of sports equipment were donated to Montreal schools by the SIM and its partners.

Fundraising locations:

• Firefighters from station 74, in Town of Mount Royal, will be at the Rockland shopping centre on the afternoon of May 20.
• Firefighters from station 9, in the Villeray—Saint-Michel—Parc-Extension Borough, will be collecting funds along the access road for the Maxi and Canadian Tire stores near the corner of boulevard Crémazie and avenue Papineau: May 16 between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., and May 20 for much of the day.