Sunshine Coast RCMP officers Harrison Mohr and Kyle Hrynyk will pedal about 900 km to raise money for cancer research while supporting their friend four-year-old Oscar Dorval during this year's Cops For Cancer Tour de Coast.
The constables weren't paired up with a buddy this year, but sought out Dorval, the local boy who is currently fighting his second battle with cancer.
"After we read his story in the paper and saw what a great little guy he is, we just wanted to do anything we could to help," Mohr said.
They plan to help by raising thousands for cancer research.
The Cops For Cancer movement was started in 1994 when an Edmonton police officer with a shaved head posed for a picture with a young cancer patient.
He wanted to support the young boy who was being made fun of at school for his bald head.
The idea caught on and soon a yearly Cops For Cancer fundraiser was launched. Each year members of law enforcement and emergency services sign up to pedal large distances in an effort to show their support and they also hold fundraisers and get pledges for the ride.
Last Saturday Mohr and Hrynyk kicked off their fundraising with an event in Davis Bay. The officers sat "stranded" on a police boat visible from shore vowing not to come in until $3,000 was raised. Thanks to generous contributions from Coasters passing by they reached their goal by 4 p.m. that day.
"We have such an amazing community here and they are so forth coming with donations and are so supportive. Everyone gave what they could and little by little the total went up and we hit our goal," Mohr said.
It's a good start, but Mohr and Hrynyk expect thousands more to come in at the annual Ladies Red Surge Gala planned for Sept. 13.
There guests will enjoy a three-course meal served to them by officers in full red serge as well as silent and live auctions and a photo booth to remember the fun.
Attendees could win an iPad 3, a 14-karat white gold diamond necklace, a one-week stay at Barcelo Karmina Palace in Manzanillo, Mexico, a Pandora bracelet or two return tickets to London, England.
This first-class event has brought in many thousands in the past and the constables hope this year is no exception.
Tickets for the event will go on sale at the Sechelt detachment for $60 each starting Aug. 29.
After the event, on Sept. 19, the officers will set out on their bike ride dubbed Tour de Coast with about 30 other officers from the Lower Mainland.
The crew will pedal about 900 km, stopping to visit schools and spread their message of support on the Coast and in Powell River, Whistler, Vancouver, Pemberton, Burnaby, the North Shore, Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and Richmond.
Riders will make their way through the Coast on Sept. 20 and the tour ends on Sept. 27 in Vancouver.
If you want to give to the effort but can't come to the upcoming gala you can donate online at www.copsfor cancerbc.ca. Simply click on donate and search for the officers' names to ensure your donation is tallied in the local total.
