Prince George’s Rocky Mountain Rangers are looking to come out on top of another fundraising effort to support troops.
Over the next couple of months, members of the Canadian Armed Forces will be taking part in the Canada Army Run, an annual fundraiser for Soldier On and for Support Our Troops.
“It’s really an opportunity for members of the armed forces to show the community that spirited core, and join together, and an opportunity for the community to get out and meet more of our service members,” said Major Eric Depeneau, one of the members taking part in the run. “Those charities provide a lot of funding, which helps folks who maybe have been injured, to do retrofits to their homes, to their vehicles, or even just things like group programming, helping keep that community alive once folks are out of uniform.”
Prince George’s fundraising team set the national record for the fundraiser in 2024, and smashed that record again in 2025.
“We’re a competitive bunch, and we really like to get out there, fitness is a thing for us in uniform of course,” Depeneau said. “This year, for the third year in a row, we’re trying to be the number one fundraising team in the country.”
Depeneau said the goal for this year is $25,000.
“Other communities take this very seriously as well, we’re competing with Calgary and another regiment there for first place at the moment, but we think we can do it with the support of the community,” he said. “Prince George punches above its weight, we were neck and neck last year up to the final days and pulled off a win then.”
Depeneau added there will be a few fundraisers over the next couple of months before the event ends in September.
“The team’s out running quite frequently,” Depeneau said, noting the team went out for an approximately 17 kilometre training run on Wednesday. “We’ll see members out fundraising, and you’ll see social media seeking donations as well.”
The fundraising effort culminates in a big event in Ottawa on September 20, with participants able to complete a 5k, 10k, a half marathon, or a multi-distance event as well.
“This year, myself and some other team members are going to fly to Ottawa and we’re running the Commander’s Challenge,” Depeneau said. “So a half marathon and some additional links, trying to help fundraise and bring awareness to these issues.”
The Rocky Mountain Ranger’s fundraising page can be found here.
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