A crowd of supporters at the Kelowna Ramada Hotel parking lot welcomed back the participants of this year’s Cops for Kids ride as the cyclists’ 10-day journey around southeastern BC came to an end on Sunday.
The 25th edition of the ride began at the hotel on Sept. 5 and took cyclists from the Okanagan to the Kootenays and back, raising funds and awareness for children facing serious medical, physical or traumatic challenges.
Among those participating in the ride for the first time was Cst. Tyler Hug of the Kelowna RCMP municipal traffic services.
“I recognized that the ride had a really good cause, raising money and funds for children who needed assistance with unexpected expenses that aren't covered under the medical services plan,” Hug told KelownaNow when asked why he took part in the ride.
"I felt like it was a good cause. I had the drive to do it. So, I took on the challenge.”
Hug and the other law enforcement officials who participated this year helped raise $310,000 for BC families.
To be part of the event, each rider had to personally raise at least $2500 to join the team and train for the difficult journey, which took riders over Anarchist Mountain and the Paulson Summit.
“In general, the whole ride was a big challenge for me. I've never done it. So everything, every day was a new experience for me,” Hug explained.
“Climbing the Anarchist (mountain) and then the Blueberry Paulson really presented to me the challenges that some of these families have to do... the unknown at the top.”
Throughout the ride, the team of cyclists made 26 stops in BC communities, at times meeting the families who are impacted by the charity.
“The highlight was seeing the children and the families and their appreciation for what we've helped them with,” Hug added.
While the ride has now come to an end, the fundraising continues and donations can be made online at this link.
