On Friday, May 25, in front of a cheering, jam-packed crowd at Spectrum Community School in Victoria, the 21st team of the Canadian Cancer Society Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock Team was announced.
Since its inception in 1998, The Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock has become Vancouver Island’s number one fundraiser, raising over $24 million to support pediatric cancer research and Camp Goodtimes.
This team of police officers, first responders and special guest riders cycle the length of Vancouver Island, starting in Port Alice and finishing in Victoria; cycling a total of over 1,100 kilometers.
Being the 21st year, Tour de Rock has collectively travelled over half way around the world to help children in their battle against cancer. The funds raised send children facing cancer and their families to our acclaimed Camp Goodtimes – a special summer camp for kids with a history of cancer.
One $1,500 donation is enough to send a child to camp. Last year, Camp Goodtimes welcomed 386 campers from across British Colombia. Over the past 21 years, the organization has sent more than 9,000 kids to camp.
A surprise announcement will be made to Victoria and all students and teachers at Spectrum Community School, that Rob House, Spectrum Community School former principal will be a special guest rider this year.
Each team member brings with them incredible enthusiasm and dedication as well as a unique story of what lead them to participate in Tour de Rock.
Nicole Emery, a member of the Oyster Bay Fire Rescue and is a childhood cancer survivor herself. “So today, here I am, thriving and well. I’m ready to be that beacon of hope for every child, parent and family member along the way.”
Sergeant Derek Tolmie from the Victoria Police Department was one of the original officers who worked tirelessly to start the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock in 1997-98, but he never rode as a team member until this year.
“When I am struggling and hurting, whether on the ride or in training, I will remember Christopher Swain the young teen who succumbed to cancer just weeks after we completed the first tour,” he said. “When I met him, and tried to bring comfort to him through words, although I felt I failed, he succeeded in bringing comfort to me. He was truly a special person who taught me what real courage looks like.”
The Tour de Rock brings our Island community and our first responders together to make a significant and direct difference in the lives of Vancouver Island kids. Since 1998 the Tour de Rock has been creating community solidarity between children who have cancer.
The collective hard work of all Vancouver Island communities and schools in their unwavering support for Tour de Rock allows it to be an incredible success that it has been and continues to be.
The Tour de Rock team will spend the next five months training and fundraising, before setting out on Sept. 22 for the 1,100-km tour of our rock, Vancouver Island, beginning in Port Alice and ending in Victoria on Oct. 5.
The 2018 Tour de Rock team includes:
1. Benjamin Leah – Port Hardy RCMP
2. Nicole Emery – Oyster River Fire Rescue
3. Jon De Roo – 97.3 The Eagle, Comox Valley
4. Andrew Quinn – Courtenay Fire
5. Allison Roberts – RLC Parks and Service
6. Amanda McRae – BCAS & Tofino Fire
7. Shane Coubrough – Nanaimo RCMP
8. Trevor Nettleton —Nanaimo RCMP
9. Matt Arnsdorf – CFB Esquimalt Fire
10. Antoine Leblanc – Military Police Unit Esquimalt
11. Kyle Ross – West Shore RCMP
12. Brent Vose – West Shore RCMP
13. Jay Krieger – Victoria Airport Fire
14. Ian Hynes —Victoria Police Department
15. Mike Sherman —Victoria Police Department
16. Michael Johnston —Victoria Police Department
17. Derek Tolmie —Victoria Police Department
18. Dane Nicholson —Saanich Police Department
19. Michael Welle - Saanich Police Department
20. Greg Stubbs —BC Ambulance Service
21. Yvonne Raymond – CTV
22. Rob House – Spectrum School – Retired