The 22-member team of this year’s Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team will be introduced at the Royal B.C. Museum this Saturday (May 14).
Among the officers to ride the 1,000-kilometre bike ride are two from the Victoria police department: Deo Alvin and Mike Massine. Also involved are three members of the media, including Chris Bush from Black Press, Brittany King of Kool FM and Louise Hartland of A News.
The cyclists, who have been training since early March, learned if they made the cut last week. They will ride from the northern to southern tip ofVancouver Island between Sept. 24 to Oct. 7.
Their commitment, however, extends well beyond their demanding ride. Each will collect pledges and host a variety of fundraisers for pediatric cancer research and programs for children with cancer.
“The amount of time they put into the training, and the commitment to the cause … is substantial,” said Cynthia Durand-Smith, of the Canadian Cancer Society. “If they didn’t have the support of their officers in charge of their detachment and their co-workers, they wouldn’t be able to do it.”
Then there’s the emotional aspect.
“When you get out in the community and you meet the people that you’re riding for .. the ones that have lost children to cancer … preparing for the emotional bit is difficult.”
At the unveiling event on May 14, the team will be presented with their jerseys, a surprise gift and a surprise special guest. It takes place from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Royal B.C. Museum.
The riding team also includes five members of the Saanich police (Scott Green, Stephanie McFarlane, Aaron Murray and Steve Robinson and Andrew Harward); one member from Oak Bay police (Jarrod Chistison) one member of the Westshore RCMP (Rod Fraser).
rholmen@vicnews.com
