Two teams of members of the Canadian Navy Frigate HMCS Fredericton cycled around New Brunswick this August making fundraising stops in support of the Children’s Wish Foundation. All proceeds from the tour go towards supporting the wishes of children diagnosed with high risk, life threatening illnesses, and severe neurological or genetic conditions in New Brunswick.

This year, the crew of HMCS Fredericton raised a record breaking $77,000, which will grant 10 wishes for deserving children. Over the past nine years the HMCS Fredericton crews have raised almost half a million dollars for kids.

A number of the J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI) companies supported this great fundraiser. One of the stops along the route was a traditional lobster lunch hosted by Mrs. J.K. Irving at the family's homestead in Petitcodiac. Hannah Gallant is 11 years old from Quispamsis, NB and was honoured at the lunch. Hannah is a “Wish Child” diagnosed with leukemia about a year ago, Her wish is to go on a Disney cruise. "I've heard there are some [ships] with water slides. I like slides and pools - I love swimming," she said. The Grade 5 student's wish will be granted once her treatment is completed, in approximately a year.

Both teams ended the cycle tour with a final ceremony at noon at Officers Square in Fredericton. 

A second wish recipient is Cooper or “Super Cooper” as he has been nicknamed. He turned seven on August 5 and was diagnosed with a brain tumour in September of 2016. He underwent an 18 hour brain surgery to remove the tumour and is closely monitored by his health care team at the IWK. It’s been a very long and difficult journey for Cooper, but he remains upbeat and very positive. The staff at the hospital bestowed the title of “Super Cooper” on him because of his warm and lovable personality. 

His mom Stacey said “We think this wish would help bring our family back together and restore some sense of normalcy after everything Cooper has been through. Cooper was so excited that his wish was granted, that we can’t even imagine how magical a Disney Cruise will be for him and us. It will put the sparkle back in his eye!”

"One of the highlights was meeting one of the Wish Children" says Jason Teichroeb, Bridge Watch Keeper In-Training for the HMCS Fredericton. "The warmth of the community as we were fundraising was one of the most rewarding things."

"These men and women do a tremendous service to our country serving aboard Canada's ships, spending quite a bit of time away from home," said Mary Keith, Vice President of Communications, J.D. Irving, Limited (JDI). "It is a tremendous gift of time to help children who are dealing with medical challenges. JDI is proud to have a longstanding relationship with Canada's Navy. These dedicated crews of the HMCS Fredericton are why we are focused on delivering the best quality to the Navy as we build the next generation of ships."

The HMCS Fredericton was built at the Saint John Shipyard and was commissioned and delivered in 1994. Mrs. J.K. Irving is the ship’s sponsor and is a champion for the Children’s Wish Foundation's New Brunswick Chapter through Bike for Wishes. JDI have been building ships for Canada for 60 years and is currently working on the next generation of ships for Canada's Navy, for more information check out shipsforcanada.ca.

Thank you to the men and women of HMCS Fredericton for supporting this great cause!

About the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada
Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada is the largest and only all-Canadian wish granting charity dedicated to granting wishes to Canadian children between the ages of 3 and 17 who are diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. For more than 30 years, Children’s Wish has worked tirelessly to grant heartfelt wishes to nearly 25,000 children and their families – that’s three wishes every day, all year long!