Nine hundred kilometres in nine days. Powell River RCMP Staff Sergeant Andy Brinton and fellow Cops for Cancer Tour de Coast riders will pedal up and down the BC coast raising money and awareness for childhood cancer research from September 19 to 27.
Over 30 riders, all from law enforcement and emergency services backgrounds, are participating in the 15th annual Tour de Coast ride hosted by Canadian Cancer Society. The ride starts in Coquitlam and will be stopping in communities along the route. Riders will make presentations to schools and community groups about pediatric cancer research and support services for children with cancer or those who, together with their families, have beaten cancer.
The peloton that Brinton will be riding with includes paramedics, border service officers and municipal police from different areas of the Lower Mainland.
Brinton and fellow riders will sprint into Powell River to load up on carbohydrates, share stories from the road and raise money at a spaghetti dinner fundraiser at Powell River Town Centre Hotel on Friday, September 21.
“I didn’t give cancer much thought until our friends told us that their son was going to BC Children’s Hospital for cancer treatment last year,” said Brinton. “I have been inspired by the community support for their family and by the strength and character of this young man.”
Brinton is well on his way to meeting his fundraising goal of $6,000. Having raised more than two thirds of the amount, he is asking the community to help. “Obviously, the minimum amount of money we’d like to raise is $6,000, but we’d like to go higher than that if possible,” he said.
Last Saturday, event organizers hoisted Brinton and his bicycle into the air in a bucket lift over the Quality Foods parking lot to promote their hot dog fundraiser and raise the profile of the Cops for Cancer ride. They raised more than $1,000.
Meanwhile the ever-bearded Frank Chrinko, owner of Suncoast Cycle, has volunteered to shave his face to help Brinton meet his goal.
“This has not happened but twice in my life,” said Chrinko. “We’re hoping to get $2,000 to get the beard off.” People will get a chance to see the shaving at the spaghetti dinner. Organizers have sold about half of the available tickets for the dinner. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased at the Town Centre Hotel for $10 per person.
For more information about the Cops for Cancer ride, or how to make a donation for Brinton’s ride, readers can visit the ride's website.
