Moncton-area firefighters, RCMP to face off in support of #BeccaToldMeTo

The Greater Moncton Professional Fire Departments (GMPFD) – made up of Moncton, Dieppe and Riverview crews – and the Codiac Regional RCMP are set to hit the ice on Friday for their first charity hockey game with proceeds going towards the #BeccaToldMeTo campaign.

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The “Battle of the Badges” game is set to take place at the Superior Propane Centre in Moncton with the puck dropping at 7:30 p.m.

#BeccaToldMeTo started in December after Riverview, N.B., teen Becca Schofield, 17 – who has been battling brain cancer for about two years – decided she wanted to fulfil things on her bucket list after she was told she was terminal. One of the items on her list was to ask people to perform random acts of kindness in her honour and then post them on social media using the hashtag #BeccaToldMeTo. The campaign has since gone viral, with people performing kind acts from as far away as Australia.

Sgt. Daniel Landry with Codiac RCMP said the campaign is what prompted the game.

“The BeccaToldMeTo movement has been inspirational to all of us including the community,” Landry said. “So the fire department approached us about doing this. It was a no-brainer for us to get involved in the movement.”

Moncton firefighter Christopher Jackson said the campaign has also inspired people to help out even during recent snow and ice storms that hit the region.

“People would come out of their homes and knock on the fire truck during the storm and deliver fresh-made cookies,” Jackson said.

Jackson said they’ll be putting their “best guys” on the rink to make it a competitive game. He added they have players on both teams that have played hockey at a high level.

Though she won’t be on the rink on Friday, Schofield did get herself on the ice last week when the Moncton Wildcats – who renamed their community spirit award after her – brought her to the rink to put her skates back on. She used to play ringette before she became ill.

“I was a goalie and I was always cheering everyone on,” Schofield said. “I am a very, very sportsmanlike player and I am always cheering no matter what.”

Which is what she’ll be doing on Friday.

According to a release by the Moncton Firefighters Association, the proceeds from the game will be put towards the Sears National Kids Cancer Ride as per Schofield’s wishes. Admission is by donation at the door for general admission to see who shoots a victory.

“Oh yes, we are going to play nice,” said Landry with a laugh.

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Schofield and her family will be guests of honour at the game, alongside fire and police representatives and Moncton Centre MLA Chris Collins who is representing the Cancer ride. She said the players better be on their best behaviour.

“You know, if they get in fistfights, they are going to have to answer to me,” Schofield said.