Winnipeg firefighters hope a bright pink firetruck will help them raise awareness and money to fight breast cancer.

The United Fire Fighters of Winnipeg union, in cooperation with the Winnipeg Fire Department, kicked off their pink T-shirt campaign on friday by unveiling the newly-painted rig, affectionately named Pinky.

The truck will not only be there to assist in the battles against fires, it will help in the battle against cancer, said union president Alex Forrest.

It is hoped the truck will encourage people to purchase the pink T-shirts, the proceeds of which go to Cancer Care Manitoba's Breast Cancer Centre of Hope.

The union has also invited cancer survivors to sign the truck.