A Northern BC RCMP officer is using his ‘Canadianity’ to help those in need.
A photograph of Sgt. Shaun Begg playing pond hockey in his red serge on a mountain lake in Kaslo, BC has been called “The Most Canadian Photo Ever”
Begg is stationed in Smithers after moving north from Kaslo this summer.
After the photo went viral, Begg decided to use his new fame to help Syrian refugees escape to Canada.
“A Mountie in red serge getting to fulfill his dream of playing pond hockey, or glacial hockey, at 9000 feet; as refugees flee their war-torn country fulfilling their dreams of coming to Canada, was too good of an opportunity to ignore,” he says.
He feels that helping out was just the Canadian thing to do.
“I thought we could reflect all of Canada’s values by doing our small part to help make these refugees feel welcome. To me that`s being Canadian: compassionate, generous, always willing to do the right thing.”
Begg says the photo has been shipped all across Canada, and as far as France and Australia.
He’s unsure of how much money has been raised. Proceeds will be split between helping refugees and refurbishing the Kaslo arena.
He called the whole experience “truly humbling.”
A print of the photo can be purchased here.
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