Municipal Affairs
July 9, 2008

Provincial Government Contributes $25,000 to
Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation

The Provincial Government will contribute $25,000 to the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation to support its fundraising efforts to raise money to buy a side-scan sonar for use in Newfoundland and Labrador.

"The Provincial Government is pleased to contribute funding towards the purchase of such an effective piece of equipment that will enhance search and rescue capabilities throughout the province," said the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Minister Responsible for Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador. "Side-scan sonars have been widely successful in efforts to retrieve drowning victims. This time-saving equipment undoubtedly lessens the pain caused to families, when a conventional search is unsuccessful."

In July 2007, Stephan Hopkins from Deer Lake was involved in a boating accident and despite the tireless efforts of search and rescue volunteers, RCMP and local community members, it was not until a side-scan sonar, provided by a couple from the United States, that Mr. Hopkins� body was found. On April 24, 2008, the foundation set out to raise funds for the purchase of a side scan sonar for this province.

"What happened to us was a family�s worst nightmare," said Terry Hopkins, Ex-officio of the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation, and father of Stephan. "Our 19-year-old son was involved in a boating accident which claimed his life. Coupled with that, we were unsuccessful in trying to locate Stephan�s body for 73 days. We vowed that no family would ever have to endure such pain again. Therefore, our goal was to raise $265,000 to purchase the side-scan sonar equipment. With the generous donation of $25,000 from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, we are well on the way to reaching this goal."

For more information regarding the Stephan Hopkins Memorial Foundation and the 73 Day campaign, please visit www.73days.ca.

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Media contacts:

Bradley Power
Public Relations Specialist
Fire and Emergency Services � Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-0857, 697-5216
bradleypower@gov.nl.ca
Terry Hopkins
The Salvation Army � Stephan Hopkins
Memorial Foundation
709-635-3452
terry.hopkins@73days.ca 

2008 07 09                                                      10:20 a.m.

 


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