The 2017 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team will be announced in front of the Sooke community at the Edward Milne Community School gym Friday (May 5) before noon.
This is the 20th ride for the annual Tour de Rock, which will begin Sept. 23, when the team of 24 departs for a 1,100 kilometer, two-week bicycle journey down Vancouver Island, raising money for pediatric cancer research and support programs.
Speakers from the EMCS School, T’Souke Elder Shirley Alphonse, 1999 Alumni Rider Sgt Dan Mayo, and Manon Chouinard on behalf of the junior team will address the student crowd at Sooke.
This year in recognition of the 20th year, special guest riders were invited to join the team including two fire fighters, two paramedics, and community and corporate supporters.
Riders hail from Port Hardy, Campbell River, Comox Valley, Nanaimo, Qualicum Beach, Lake Cowichan, Port Alberni, Tofino/Ucluelet, Merville, Lazo, Duncan, Westshore, Esquimalt, and Victoria.
Last year, Oak Bay High’s C4C, or Cops for Cancer, campaign raised more than $63,000, enough to send 42 kids battling cancer to Camp Goodtimes.
Since 1998, the tour has raised more $22 million for the Canadian Cancer Society, which uses the money to fund kids on Vancouver Island who have or are battling cancer, to attend at no cost, a special camp: Camp Goodtimes. It also supports important pediatric cancer research and programs that help children with cancer and their families.