LSS music teacher Rod Alsop has been growing his beard for three years. Although Alsop loves his beard, his love for the community is greater. So, he’s shaving his beard for pledges to the annual Tour de Rock and Cops for Cancer.
“My chin’s going to be colder,” Alsop said when asked how his life will change without his beard. “I don’t know if my wife will kiss me as often. And I’ll probably get strange looks from kids at school, because they get used to seeing you one way, then all the sudden you’re a different person showing up.”
RELATED: Tour de Rock ride kicks off in the North Island
Alsop will have his beard shaved in front of the entire school at an assembly on September 30 when Tour de Rock rolls through town. He hopes to have a large donation to present to the riders for the assembly. Alsop, like so many others, was motivated to raise funds because of a family experience with cancer.
“I lost my sister about ten years ago to cancer. Cancer’s one of those things that affects just about everybody in some way. Everybody has a family member, friend, or someone they’ve known who’s had to deal with it,” Alsop said.
Alongside Alsop’s efforts, LSS students have taken the lead on their own fundraising initiatives. The LSS student leadership group organized a benefit concert with student musicians, and held other small fundraisers.
RELATED: Cassie Loveless to ride for Ladysmith in Tour de Rock
Tour de Rock riders are making their way south on their trek of Vancouver Island. The annual tour raises funds for paediatric cancer research. They also provide funding for kids with cancer and their families to visit Camp Goodtimes, a summer recreation camp with programs designed to help kids with cancer.