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Mr. October happy to help

North Vancouver firefighter adds his muscle to charity calendar

THE weather normally gets chilly at this time of year, but a local firefighter will be heating up the month of October in the 2012 Greater Vancouver Hall of Flame Calendar.

North Vancouver's Matthew Haines is one of a dozen firefighters chosen to pose shirtless for the calendar, which raises money for a variety of charities.

"I thought honestly it's a pretty funny way to raise money and if you can't laugh at yourself than who can you laugh at," said the 35-year-old Courtney native, who has been working for District of North Vancouver Fire Services for the past seven years.

The calendar will debut at the West Coast Women's Show in Abbotsford this weekend alongside two fashion shows featuring the leading men. But Haines admits there won't be a lot of clothing involved. "From what I was told, I think we'll either be in our dress uniforms or a tuxedo or something, and by the end of it they want us to be just down to our pants," he said.

To prepare for the photo shoot, Haines said he simply followed his normal regimen. "I swim every morning, then work every day, then work out, then do the Grind at night," he explained, adding he normally competes in the annual Grouse Grind Mountain Run, with a best time of 28 minutes.

Although Haines was originally hoping to be Mr. February so that he "wouldn't have to be as embarrassed as long," he said his friends and family have been supportive overall. "It's one of those things that you kind of think 'Why not?' I'll have it forever, I can show the grandkids."

More than anything, Haines is hoping that the calendar and fashion show will raise a lot of money for charities such as the Vancouver Firefighters' Charitable Society, The Burn Fund and CKNW Orphans Fund.

The 2012 Hall of Flame Calendar Firefighters Fashion Show will take place on Friday, Oct. 21 at 7: 30 p.m., followed by a 9-1-1 Fashion Show, featuring other emergency responders on Saturday, Oct. 22, 7: 30 p.m. at TRADEX in Abbotsford.

The calendar can be purchased at the show or at www. vancouverfighters.ca as well as at London Drugs.

mkrishnan@nsnews.com