The Norfolk County Fire Department is lending its voice — and its support — to a growing show of solidarity for a young boy bravely battling cancer, by taking part in the #TeamBennyChallenge.
Norfolk Fire was nominated by the Haldimand County Fire Department and quickly accepted the challenge, joining fire services and first responders from across Ontario and beyond who are rallying around Benny, a young boy facing cancer for the second time.
Challenge coins hold a long-standing tradition within emergency services, symbolizing camaraderie, respect, and shared purpose.
For Benny, the growing collection represents far more — a tangible reminder that thousands of people he has never met are standing behind him in his fight.
The Team Benny Challenge has grown into a heartwarming grassroots movement involving firefighters, police services, and other community organizations across North America.
Each participating organization accepts the challenge, sends a coin or patch to Benny, and then nominates another department to take part, creating a chain of support that continues to spread.
Benny first battled cancer at the age of five and beat it.
Now facing the disease again, his resilience has inspired an outpouring of messages, gifts, and honorary acknowledgements from first responders who say his story reminds them why community matters.
After accepting the challenge, Norfolk County Fire has now nominated Brant County Fire to continue the chain and keep the message moving forward.
Those wishing to learn more about the initiative or follow Benny’s journey are encouraged to visit the Team Benny pages on social media, where updates and information on participation are shared.