The Portage la Prairie Fire Department is once again hosting its much-anticipated annual bike auction, marking the 45th year of raising funds for the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund. The event will take place on Saturday, May 3, with bike viewing starting at 9:00 a.m. and the auction kicking off at 10:00 a.m.
"We've got about 140 bikes ready for auction, and that number could still go up," said Curtis Rance, a firefighter with the Portage Fire Department.
"We'll have an auctioneer there, and bikes will be brought up one at a time for bidding."
All proceeds from the event go directly to the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund, a provincial charity that supports critical burn care and rehabilitation for children. Rance emphasized the importance of the initiative, noting its impact on both medical support and emotional healing.
"The Burn Fund helps educate doctors and nurses, but it also supports the Phoenix Summer Camp for kids who've suffered burn injuries. It gives those kids a place to connect with others who've gone through similar experiences."
One major success funded by the Burn Fund was the recent renovation of the children’s burn dressing room at Winnipeg's Children's Hospital.
"It used to be just a cold, sterile room. Now it has a projector so kids can watch something while getting bandaged, and even an interactive game that helps with physical therapy."
The bikes sold at the auction are sourced from community donations, unclaimed found bikes, and even seized items from the RCMP. The fire department keeps records of serial numbers and descriptions in case owners come forward.
Rance encourages anyone who wants to donate a bike to call the fire hall at 204-239-8340 or simply drop them off.
"It's a great way to clean out your shed and support a really meaningful cause."
This family-friendly event continues to be a hit in the community calendar, combining the spirit of giving with the excitement of a live auction.
