“This is my favourite day because it’s the Sunshine Coast,” said Const. Ben Stewart of the Sechelt RCMP detachment on the morning of Thursday, Sept. 20. He and 35 other law enforcement officers had gathered in front of MYOGA studio in Gibsons.
The cops weren’t adorned in their usual uniforms, though. Instead, they were decked out in cycling jerseys and helmets and breathing deep after their first climb of the second day of the Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast, an 800-kilometre cycle through southern B.C. that raises money for childhood cancer research.
The riders had stopped at the yoga studio to thank owner Mary Shaw. As Stewart explained to the riders, he met Shaw after her business suffered a break-and-enter earlier this year. When she learned about Cops for Cancer she organized an event that raised $850 for the cause.
“Ironically, I’d like to thank that little [call] that came in, because without him we wouldn’t be here today and wouldn’t have raised all that money,” said Stewart, who presented Shaw with a plaque to recognize her efforts.
By the time the riders reached the Coast they had raised $440,000 and as of Sept. 25 they had surpassed their fundraising goal of $525,000 by more than $6,000. Stewart has brought in $7,500.
Oscar Dorval was also at the studio Thursday morning. Sporting his Children’s Wish Foundation T-shirt, the Cops for Cancer “buddy” said he welcomed the opportunity to cheer on the riders because donations from the initiative supported him and his family when he was battling cancer. “It’s great to be here so I can wish them good luck,” said the 10-year-old, who also taught the officers the latest dance craze, “the hype.”
Oscar has been busy with Cops for Cancer lately. He also gave a speech at the annual Red Serge Gala, one of the largest Tour de Coast fundraisers, which took place the previous week in Sechelt and earned the charity $50,000. Oscar taught the gala-goers “the floss.”
With dance moves down on Thursday, the riders set off to complete the rest of the Sunshine Coast leg, with stops at Cedar Grove Elementary, École du Pacifique, Madeira Park Elementary and Sechelt RCMP. The riders slept over at Camp Olave near Sechelt before heading to Powell River on Friday.
During supper at Camp Olave, Oscar and his mother sent the cops on their way with the news that after five years of being cancer free, doctors have declared Oscar cured.
