HMCS Winnipeg fundraising while deployed

Members of HMCS Winnipeg wave goodbye as the ship departs Esquimalt Harbour Aug. 1. For the first several days at sea, sailors wore non-medical masks as a precautionary measure against COVID-19. Due to the global pandemic, Winnipeg sailors will not be exploring foreign ports during their deployment on RIMPAC and Operation Projection/Neon, which will see the ship return in December 2020. Photo by Leading Seaman Valerie LeClair, MARPAC Imaging Services

SLt Phil Hopkins, HMCS Winnipeg Charity Officer ~

For the most part, sailors join the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) to sail and see the world. During these trying times, however, sailors on board HMCS Winnipeg will continue to sail but won’t have the ability to explore foreign ports due to COVID-19 precautions. 

Nevertheless, and with high spirits, enthusiasm, and the willingness to “adapt and overcome,” Winnipeg’s charity team has created esprit de corps and morale events such as the “Run to Winnipeg and Back” challenge. The idea is for the crew to run to Winnipeg and back virtually, via treadmills and the flight deck, while deployed.

With health and fitness in mind, and to promote this event, Winnipeg’s charity team has worked tirelessly to pursue opportunities to collaborate with veteran-owned and local businesses for prizes and items to support this cause. Donated items will be raffled off during the deployment with the profits going to the Manitoba Firefighters Burn Fund, Winnipeg’s chosen charity.

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