For 27 years the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock has been an exciting annual event on Vancouver Island. Raising money for childhood cancer research and support services, emergency services members, along with some media folks, ride 1,200 kilometres from Port Hardy to Victoria in 14 days.
As stated by the Canadian Cancer Society “from the very first ride in 1997, Tour de Rock has grown on the strength of dedicated volunteers and community partners.” Like so many organizations and community events a lot relies on the support of volunteers and that is especially true in Ladysmith.
“We have been struggling to put on events," said volunteer Carrie Alexander. "We haven’t even been able to hold the loggers sports because not enough people to help with the set-up.”
"In the past our community has had some very successful events and we’ve been able to raise some large dollars for the kids, but since COVID we are down to three or four folks," said Alexander. "We can’t do too much with so few, and last year’s Red Serge Dinner was pretty tough but we did it.”
As far as this year Alexander said “we’re not even sure we can do the dinner unless we get a few more volunteers. We’d like to do more but we need help. The logger sports has always been fun and attracted great crowds and it’s meant to be a really fun family event. Even if we don’t get a lot of donations, we want it to be an event where the whole family can come, for free, and enjoy some exciting logging events and some laughs.”
The Tour riders have already been picked and are starting to practice. The 14 riders, from various communities on the island, practice mostly in their own areas, but every week they get together in groups and do a long ride.
“Starting later in the summer they get together in whole and start real long rides,” said Simon Douthwaite, from the Cops for Cancer. "The first real ‘mock ride’ will be on Saturday, Aug. 17 and the riders will be stopping in Ladysmith. They will be attending the Show ’n’ Shine, in the morning on the ride, to meet all the spectators."
Those interested in helping out with the local fundraising for the Tour de Rock should email to mack17@shaw.ca