The Vancouver Park Board says that the extension cords that connect the Bright Nights Train lights to their power source have been stolen.
The festive train suffered mechanical issues this week as the city saw record-breaking cold. However, the Vancouver Park Board team worked to fix the train and were performing a run-through Friday (Dec. 31) afternoon when they discovered the route was "in the dark."
While the train and lights are intact, the cords that connect to them to the power source have "been subject to suspected theft," says the BC Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund in a news release.
The annual fundraiser has been effectively cancelled for the remainder of the season and it is the Burn Fund's single largest fundraising event. Now, the charity is asking the public for support with its Bright Nights 50/50 and the deadline is midnight tonight.
"It is so unfortunate...we were so excited. The Vancouver Park Board worked so hard to get the mechanical issues fixed," Nicole Clark, spokesperson for the Burn Fund, told Vancouver Is Awesome in a phone interview.
"This is traditionally one of our biggest weeks for fundraising. And it would have been able to be open to the remaining three days. Also, we've been at 50 per cent capacity."
The matter is now pending further investigation with VPD.
"It’s truly heartbreaking. The year has been hard enough and now a suspected theft has occurred which is well beyond our control. From extreme weather conditions, covid restrictions and now this, 2021 has been a year of challenges and barriers. Fire fighters across our Province look forward to putting on Bright Nights every year for the community, raising funds to help support burn survivors across BC & Yukon. This final setback is devastating.”
Anyone can donate to the 50/50 and the deadline is midnight on New Year's Eve. The jackpot is currently sitting at just under $400,000 and the winner will take half. Clark says the charity hopes to reach $500,000 before midnight. Find the details online.
All proceeds support the charity of BC’s professional fire fighters and helps to fund programs for burn survivors, as well as fire prevention education for children across BC. Established in 1978, the BC Professional Fire Fighters' Burn Fund is the charity of more than 4,000 professional fire fighters from 53 communities in B.C. and the Yukon. Learn more at Burnfund.org.