More than a 100 people, including four Tour de Rock riders, showed up to the student-led Reynolds secondary kickoff for the 2014 Cops for Cancer campaign at Braefoot Park on Friday.
It was an early send off for the Saanich component of the tour, as the official sendoff is Saturday.
Reynolds is a major contributor to the annual fundraising campaign, having raised $100,000 in 2013.
“This is kids helping kids, it’s the ride personified,” said Reynolds vice principal Dean Norris-Jones, clad in the team cycling jersey and shorts he’ll wear for the next two weeks. “It’s the brain child of the grads and shows what they can do.”
With school returning to session on Monday it will make it easier to get the word out said Grade 12 Abbie Renyard, one of the organizers.
Friday featured several signup tables for the head shave and the upcoming garage sale, as well as a table selling baked goods.
“This is an extremely impressive sendoff for students to do outside of school,” said 2014 tour rider Sgt. Jason Bland of Saanich Police.
“I’m going to miss my daddy,” said Bland’s seven year old daughter Darcy, who attended Friday. “Daddy always takes me to fun stuff.”
“I’m ready to go,” Bland said. “We’ve put in thousands of kilometres for this.”
The Tour will make Victoria fundraising stops during the final two days Oct. 2 and 3.
reporter@saanichnews.com
