The Tour de Rock entourage rolled out of Port Alice Sunday morning on the first leg of their 1,000-kilometre journey south to Victoria.
Following a west coast detour this coming weekend, TDR is scheduled to depart Nanaimo for Ladysmith and Chemainus on the morning of Monday, Sept. 30.
In the lead up to TDR’s arrival, local organizers are busy overseeing a multi-faceted fundraising and awareness campaign.
Front and centre is the Wall of Heroes, a mural located at the Ladysmith and District Credit Union that will serve as the backdrop for Ladysmith’s welcome ceremony when TDR arrives Monday afternoon.
TDR committee member Kim Judson said anyone interested in having a cancer hero’s name memorialized on the Wall of Heroes can do so by donating $50 to TDR. Kelly Everill returns to Ladysmith this Wednesday (Sept. 25) to complete the mural, Judson said, and it may only take a day or two for her to add the 70 names registered to date. As a result, Judson advised anyone wanting to see their hero’s name added to the wall prior to the mural’s unveiling Sept. 30 to register with the LDCU prior to Sept. 25.
A second fundraising option is the Adopt-A-Rider program. By donating $50 to TDR prior to Sept. 30, the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association will assign a donor a rider, make up an “encouragement poster,” and provide professional photos. Judson said that rider adoptions can be arranged by contacting Teresa McKinley at the Chronicle.
Vancouver Island Insurance Centre is contributing to the TDR effort by sponsoring a bike draw, Judson added. By donating to TDR before Sept. 30, donors will be eligible to win one of three bikes up for grabs. To sign up for the draw, contact Adele at Ladysmith VIIC.
Local eateries are contributing to the cancer-fighting cause, too, Judson said. Printingdun Beanery at First Avenue and Roberts Street is donating the proceeds of every chicken sandwich sold from now through Sept. 30, Judson added, while Tim Horton’s is donating the proceeds of any Smile Cookies sold until Sept. 30 to TDR.
Ladysmith Secondary School will make its contribution via an Open Mic Night scheduled for 6:30 p.m. this Thursday (Sept. 26) at LSS. Admission is by donation, and all proceeds will go to TDR.
LSS principal Dave Street, meanwhile, will spend Sept. 28-30 camped out on a scissor lift in the LDCU parking lot to raise money and awareness for TDR, Judson said.
Lonely though he may be, Street can count on Ladysmith Fire/Rescue to keep him company as he embarks on his journey through low earth orbit. Ladysmith Fire/Rescue will host a community barbecue and TDR fundraiser Sept. 28 from 4-7 p.m. in the LDCU parking lot.
The grand finale begins when the TDR riders roll into Ladysmith Monday afternoon sometime between 1:30 and 2 p.m., Judson said. After a brief stop at Tim Horton’s, the riders will proceed to the LDCU parking lot where they will be greeted by Ladysmith’s finest.
Following an official welcome that will include an RCMP–Ladysmith Fire/Rescue honour guard, there will be head shaves and hair donations, musical entertainment by Ryan McMahon, official photos and the Wall of Heroes “grand reveal.”
Ladysmith’s TDR festivities wrap up Monday night with the Red Serge Fundraising Dinner at the Eagle’s Hall.
Members of the RCMP and the entire TDR team will attend the event, Judson said, offering guests a chance to meet and mingle with team members.
Doors open at 6 p.m., with dinner scheduled for 7 p.m. but tickets must be purchased in advance, Judson explained.
Tickets cost $25 apiece and can be purchased from the LDCU and the Chronicle.
For more information on all Ladysmith TDR events, contact Kim Judson at 250-245-6390.
