On Friday morning, Sept. 15, about 17 riders on the Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley team began an eight-day, 800-kilometre journey through the Fraser Valley in 91原创, where students at 91原创 Fine Arts cheered them on once again.
The 25th annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley runs until Sept. 20. The team consists of police officers, paramedics, dispatchers, sheriffs and corrections staff who will cycle from 91原创 and Aldergrove to Chilliwack, Hope to Boston Bar, and many places in between before turning around to conclude in Surrey.
Updates will be posted to the Cops for Cancer Facebook page.
The team's fundraising goal is $320,000, and as of Friday morning, they had raised more than $158,000 for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Cops for Cancer is the largest national fundraiser for pediatric cancer research and pediatric support programs in Canada. Money raised also supports programs like Camp Goodtimes where kids with cancer can "just be kids."
Ruth Nance, Tour de Valley specialist and 鈥渕omager鈥� of the team, said it's been tough fundraising after the COVID pandemic but that there has been incredible community support already in the first few days of the tour.
"We had stops throughout 91原创 and Aldergrove on day one," she said, mentioning that Cascades Casino donated $2,500.
Richard Bulpitt Elementary also presented a cheque for $500 when the tour came by.
"And James Hill Elementary did a fantastic fundraiser [in June] where kids had the opportunity to raise money," Nance said.
The student who raised the most got a ride in a police cruiser to school, escorted by motorcycles.
"Key for us this year is working with schools pre-tour and getting them to fundraise," she said.
During the tour's stop at the school, the kids who raised funds also had the opportunity to pie their principal.
"We're celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, and it's all about the kids. What we do for them and empowering them to learn how to have empathy for each other and support each other," Nance said.
Sunday, Sept. 15, was the gruelling grind from Hope to Boston Bar and back again.
On Wednesday the team will be in Mission before heading to South Surrey to attend a fundraising event that evening.
They'll tour through White Rock on Thursday and Delta, stopping at several schools and local businesses.
To wrap up the tour on Friday, Sept. 20, riders will attend the closing ceremony at 1:30 p.m. at the Surrey RCMP detachment.
People can donate online at .
RELATED: VIDEO: Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley begins in 91原创
