Since 1977 volunteers have cycled the length of Vancouver Island every fall to help children and families,suffering from the effects of pediatric cancer.
Last Monday, the tradition continued when 18 dedicated cyclists pedalled along Fourth Avenue in Ladysmith to meet with the students of the Ladysmith Intermediate School. The cyclists had completed the first 10 days of their 14 day journey and received a resounding welcome by the hundreds of students as the Tour entered the gymnasium. Students from the primary school and local day cares were also in attendance to welcome the riders.
One of two local area riders, Mackenzie Read, spoke to the gathered students and staff and described what she has experienced during the first days of cycling down the Island.
Following Read’s address to the students a teacher had his head shaved by a local student, who is a survivor of cancer. The Tour’s mascot, Ryder the Racoon, got the youngsters applauding and laughing with his antics as the Tour members laughed with the gathering.
From there the 18 riders and their accompanying entourage of motorcycle police and police vehicles proceeded to the local Tim Horton’s where they took a much needed break and also thanked the Ladysmith owners and staff for their continued support for the Cops for Cancer. The complete entourage left Ladysmith and headed down the highway towards Chemainus.
Around supper time the Tour riders were welcomed back to Ladysmith, where they attended the annual Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock Red Serge Dinner. Hosted by the local Tour de Rock committee, the dinner has been a hallmark of the ride's arrival in Ladysmith. The Eagles hall was filled to capacity as the riders were escorted in by a bagpiper along with two flag bearers. Tables were situated in such a way that each table had two Tour members so that the attendees had an opportunity to chat and learn about the various reasons the riders are taking part. The dinner was served by volunteers of the local RCMP dressed in their official red serge uniforms and they were assisted by members of the Ladysmith Fire Rescue department in their dress uniforms.
The evening featured various fundraising activities with a multitude of gifts and prizes donated by local merchants for both silent and live auctions fundraisers.
The Eagles and auxiliary prepared a great meal of roast beef, vegetables and mashed potatoes with all the menus donated by local stores Country Grocer, Save-On-Foods and the Old Town Bakery.
One of the highlights, of the evening featured two of the Tour riders having their heads shaved in unique designs. The head shavers passed around a bucket and more than $1,100 was collected to help augment the funds already donated for children suffering from cancer.
The 50/50 draw was won by Leah Guenette, who is the mother of Tour rider Mackenzie Read. Read’s mom donated the funds back to the Tour so they can be used to help the cause.
During the evening each of the riders had their picture taken for the Adopt-A-Rider event, which is where local businesses donated $100 to adopt one of the riders.
North Oyster firefighter Bruce MacKenzie had an opportunity to address the guests and talked about his reason for wanting to be a part of the 2025 Tour de Rock and how he felt when the ride first started, when they started their first leg of the journey 10 days ago in Port Alice.
A number of local organizations were also on hand to make special presentations to Cops for Cancer including the local Lions Club, Kinsman, the Ladysmith Rotary, Eagles Aerie 210 and the Eagles Auxiliary, Ladysmith Fire Rescue Historical Society and Tim Hortons, which, through their ‘smile cookie’ program, donated more than $8,500.
In total more than $15,000 was donated by the local organizations for the Cops for Cancer. A spokesperson for the local volunteer organizers said it appears that in excess of $20,000 was raised for the evening. The spokesperson went on to say that the group’s beer and burger fundraiser earlier this year garnered more than $2,000 and the recent loggers sports event brought in more than $4,000 in donations. Earlier in the Tour program the local organizers handed over $6,000 to each of the local riders, MacKenzie and Read, to help them in their individual fundraising programs.
