Strathmore’s Battle of the Badges charity hockey game is gearing up for the first time in four years!

The game is usually played between the fire department and the RCMP but will now include local EMTs as well. They will be on the ice to raise money for local charities.

The last game that was played was before the pandemic in 2019 and raised $8500 for The Youth and Family Hub and the Wheatland County Food Bank.

This year The Battle of the Badges is partnering with School Fuel, a local group that ensures no child goes to school hungry. They provide breakfast at no cost for local students.

Strathmore Fire Fighter Erica Barnson says that there is no set entrance fee to watch the game and that you are welcome to donate whatever you are able to.

“Our goal is just to make sure that everyone can be able to watch this game if they want to and then if we raise a lot of money at the end of it. Then that is always a bonus to us. "There will also be 50/50 raffle tickets at the game for anyone that is interested.

Strathmore RCMP Constable Randy Romkey is excited to be back on the ice again after a few tough years of cancellations.

“It's hard, there is a lot of work that goes into it, and to get to the point where our first one was cancelled in 2020 within ten days of the game actually being launched when everything got shut down. It's been a frustrating several years for us for sure.”

Barnson explains that it is important for the community to see the different branches of first responders working together, having fun and seeing them as regular people.

“It's really important for us to give back to the community and especially what has been going on in the last couple of years, it's been hard for everybody. So just to have a fun, family-orientated event that helps people to get to know their first responders which is always a really important goal for us.”

They are hoping that there will be enough time after the game to do a meet-and-greet with the public.

The Battle of the Badges is set for March 26 at 4 p.m. at the Strathmore Family Centre.

Battle of the Badges

Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@strathmorenow.com