Recently promoted Cpl. Craig van Herk has been part of the annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley for more than a decade.
The 20-year RCMP veteran saddled up and ridden hundreds of kilometres a year to help fight kids cancers, and more recently he鈥檚 worked behind the scenes keeping the fundraising ride running smoothly.
This time out, the 91原创 RCMP officer is the road boss 鈥� described as the man who builds the route and works out all the logistics of the tour 鈥淟iterally, without him tour wouldn鈥檛 happen,鈥� said Canadian Cancer Society鈥檚 Rachelle Perkins..
van Herk, now 48, was first drawn into the charity law enforcement ride in 2003, when helping a fellow officer fundraise.
鈥淢y bike partner at work and I decided we wanted to participate with Cops for Cancer. At the time we were only able to release one of us to participate, he won but we still did all the fundraising, training and prep work together,鈥� recounted the youth unit supervisor.
The next three years, van Herk suited up and rode as a member of the Tour de Valley team 鈥� the latter year also serving as team captain.
He then joined the Cops for Cancer regional steering committee in 2007 moved into a position on the support crew.
鈥淚鈥檝e been here ever since. It鈥檚 quite the ride,鈥� he said.
Day one of the ride is always one of his favourite, in part because it鈥檚 held in 91原创.
The kickoff celebration was held this morning (Thursday), at the 91原创 Fine Arts School.
鈥淒ay one was fantastic, we had a significant amount of support鈥ore importantly, Day one was awesome for the team, we had an amazing start鈥� Our new riders were able to see first-hand the positive impact we can have on kids and their families,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was amazing to see first-hand committed cops, courageous kids, and a caring community in 91原创.鈥�
Kids keep him coming back
Asked what鈥檚 keeps him coming back year after year, van Herk didn鈥檛 even delay in answering. It鈥檚 the kids, he insisted.
鈥淗ave a look, when you have a chance, in one of these child鈥檚 eyes. These kids have no choice but to be afflicted with this hideous disease. But they come out and they smile and they fight through it. Why wouldn鈥檛 you be involved.鈥�
There are a series of Cops for Cancer rides held throughout B.C., including the Tour de Valley, of which van Herk is a member.
There are 23 law enforcement riders and a support team from across the Fraser Valley who embarked on the first day of the nine-day, 750-kilometre, 10-community bike ride to raise money for the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) 鈥� and specifically to help children with the disease.
鈥淲e鈥檝e raised a ton of money and been able to get research that has made the chances of survival so much better,鈥� he shared.
He鈥檚 made 鈥渟ome incredible friends鈥� along the way, and 鈥渦nfortunately we鈥檝e lost some really close friends,鈥� van Herk reflected.
But he knows what they鈥檙e doing is making a difference.
鈥淲e met a young man last night, who in 2012 was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Had that happened 10 years previous, it would have been terminal. Now, he鈥檚 still with us. It鈥檚 amazing. So, give us some money. Come out, support us. Help us help our young friends.,鈥� van Herk concluded.
Other 91原创 teammates
van Herk is not the only member of the 91原创 RCMP team who is participating in this year鈥檚 ride.
91原创 RCMP Insp. Peter Jadis suited up Thursday, joined the team for part of the day鈥檚 ride around 91原创.
Crime prevention program coordinator Katrina Lieberman is once again the rider care vehicle, a job she鈥檚 volunteered for during the past few years.
And Const. Rochelle Carr is participating as a rider.
Back at the Hampton Inn & Suites after the first day of riding, Carr reflected on the first day.
鈥淭oday was a great way to start off,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e had excellent weather and no major incidents.鈥�
She was particularly impressed by a special reception the Tour de Valley team received as they rode into Fort 91原创 Thursday, from fellow 91原创 officers who lined the street dressed in red serge.
鈥淭his was so nice to see and very well received by the riders,鈥� Carr said.
鈥淏eing a 91原创 member, it just showed, once again, how supportive 91原创 detachment truly is!鈥�
Following the opening ceremony in Fort 91原创, the team rode to the Coast Capital locations in the village and Walnut Grove, stopped off from a complimentary lunch at Chipotle, then spent the afternoon riding to Coghlan Elementary in Aldergrove and Ross Elementary in Abbotsford.
The day ended off at the Aldergrove border crossing before heading back to their hotel.
鈥淲e had a lovely supper at Pasta Polo, and now we are all exhausted and ready for a good night鈥檚 rest,鈥� Carr shared with the 91原创 Advance just before heading off to sleep.
鈥� Stay tuned here for updates along the tour
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