Four Penticton RCMP members will join the annual Cops for Kids Ride to give back to the community.
Sgt. Carmen Penney, Const. Andrew Deane and Const. Liz Vant Erve will be joined by Dean Marchand to cycle over 1,000 kilometres to raise funds and awareness for local children.
“Part of the ride is getting the opportunity to connect with the families that we’ve helped with funding,” said Deane in a news release. “Cops for Kids is able to provide that funding for families in their time of crisis and release some of the financial burden from families so they can be focusing on their child. When we arrive into a community and meet the children who benefit from our efforts it makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”
READ MORE: Former Cops for Kids cyclist in Penticton now receiving their help
A total of 34 cyclists and a seven person support crew from RCMP and supporting enforcement agencies within South East District will depart Friday on the annual Cops for Kids Ride, presented by the Kelowna Foundation for Hope and Social Innovation. Each rider must provide their own bike, train on their own time, volunteer at community events and fundraise a minimum of $2,500 in order to participate.
“Our route covers a vast and mountainous corner of the province with unrelenting hills and inclement weather at times, but these riders know that on the other side of each mountain is a family who has benefitted from our fundraising efforts,” says ride captain, retired Staff Sgt. Major Julio Krenz. “Our riders join the RCMP to help people and make a difference in their communities. On a day-to-day basis, officers are often faced with some of the harshest realities in this line of work, while also dealing with common policing shortfalls such as staffing shortages that can leave them tired and burnt out. For them, experiencing the gratitude from families who are helped by their efforts is often one of the highlights of their careers, and reminds them of why they joined our national police force.”
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The 2019 Ride will take the team across the south eastern corner of British Columbia over 10 days stopping in 26 communities.
Since inception, they’ve raised over $5.5 million through their signature event. Organizers said with requests from families on the rise, they’re working even harder to support the local children who need it most. Funds from the event support requests for transportation to medical treatment outside their home community, accommodations, medical equipment and more.
As a part of their route, the team will arrive in Penticton on Friday, Sept. 6 at 3:30 p.m. to Valley First at Cherry Lane. Everyone is welcome to come meet the team and pose for a photo or show their support while the team is in the area.
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