The Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast peloton rolled into Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam Thursday with just one more day remaining in its eight-day, 800km journey around Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast.
The 25th annual ride by members of various police forces, paramedics and border officers raises money for research into childhood cancers and well as support services for families with kids going through cancer treatment like visits to Camp Goodtimes.
This year’s ride has already raised more than $515,000 of its $650,000 goal. Much of the money cones from fundraisers and events put on by the peloton’s 25 riders, all of whom are from police forces in Metro Vancouver, as well as paramedics and border services officers.
Teams of supporters also get into the fundraising act, including the students and staff at Scott Creek Middle School, who’ve contributed more than $22,000 this year through various events like bottle drives, sales of baked goods and fezzes as well as a massive school dance.
A brief pitstop at Coquitlam RCMP headquarters during Thursday’s lunch hour included a head shaving fundraiser by Const. Jenifer Barker, of the detachment’s traffic services unit. She said it was the second year in a row she’s sacrificed her locks. Although she seemed a little less certain of her commitment when the clippers were handed to one of the cyclists, Const. James Eastwood of Ridge Meadows RCMP, who promptly declared he’s never cut hair before.
Following the stop in downtown Coquitlam and another at Scott Creek Middle School, the peloton, led by several police motorcycles, headed to Port Coquitlam.
The ride wraps up Friday in Vancouver.
