Close to $10,000 was raised in Vanderhoof towards research on children’s cancer last week, thanks to a series of friendly arrests including Vanderhoof’s high school principal, fire chief, and other community members.
On Aug. 31, twenty-two community members were arrested and locked behind cattle-penning bars at the parking lot of Vanderhoof and Districts Co-op for the Cops for Cancer Jail and Bail.
Including pledges, donations, and proceeds of the event barbecue, $9,240 were collected in Vanderhoof for the 15th Cops for Cancer Tour de North. Funds raised at the annual event are dedicated to pediatric cancer research and Camp Goodtimes, which provides a summer recreation program for children affected by cancer.
Prisoners of the day included Nechako Valley Secondary principal and district Councillor Ken Young, fire Chief Ian Leslie, Co-op’s general manager Allan Bieganski, Your Independent Grocer’s owner-operator Jim Mackie, Tammy Rempel of Westline Ford, Gospel Chapel pastor Sean Wick, District of Vanderhoof’s director of operations Paul Carver, as well as Danny Scoular and Tyrell Arnold of Nechako Valley Community Services Society.
“It’s great to have that level of participation from the community,” said Sgt. Svend Nielsen of Vanderhoof’s RCMP. “People who were volunteered certainly show their support for pediatric research for cancer and Camp Goodtimes.
“It’s incredible generosity.”
On Sept. 16, Nielsen will be joining 29 emergency personnel from across the region in Prince George to cycle to Prince Rupert over seven days. Catherine Scott of Fraser Lake’s ambulance unit will also be participating in the event.
The tour will stop on the first day in Vanderhoof, where a community welcome event will take place at Riverside Park with live music and barbecue from 5 to 7 p.m.
Day two features the longest distance covered in one day — 175 kilometres — for the tour, as riders cycle to Fort St. James for a community luncheon at noon, continuing to Fraser Lake for a welcome dinner at the local legion branch.
The tour then continues with stops in Burns Lake, Smithers, Hazelton, Terrace, and lastly in Prince Rupert.
Donations are still accepted through the event website at www.tourdenorth.ca.