They’ve had a big cheer, now practice will begin in earnest for the 17 members of the 2016 Tour de Rock Team, which will cycle the length of Vancouver Island this fall.
The riders – 14 Vancouver Island police officers, one radio personality, and two guests – were introduced to a cheering crowd at Shawnigan Lake School Friday, May 6, where they received their Coast Capital Savings training jerseys and Trek bikes.
“It’s such an honour to get to put on this Tour de Rock jersey for the first time,” said Todd Mason from the Victoria Police Department.
“It’s so much more than just a cycling jersey; it represents all the communities and supporters from Vancouver Island working together to help kids with cancer – it is overwhelming.”
Since 1988 the Tour de Rock has been creating community solidarity with children who have cancer, a Canadian Cancer Society - BC & Yukon Division media release says.
“The collective hard work of all Vancouver Island communities and schools in their unwavering support for Tour de Rock allows children on Vancouver Island to attend Camp Goodtimes – a special summer camp for kids with a history of cancer – and also funds pediatric cancer research that changes their lives.”
This year in Canada close to 920 children under the age of 14 will be diagnosed with cancer; 117 of those children will lose their battle.
Over the past 15 years, thanks to Cops for Cancer, the Canadian Cancer Society - BC & Yukon Division, has invested over $40 million in pediatric cancer research.
The Tour de Rock team will spend the next five months training and fundraising, before setting out Sept. 24 for the 1,100 km tour of Vancouver Island, beginning in Port Alice and ending in Victoria on Oct. 7.