The Mader family came to the Elks Hall last Friday to thank the Cops for Kids cyclists for helping the family when their daughter Ellie had to stay at BC Children’s Hospital to undergo treatment for a rare form of cancer earlier this year. From left are Craig Mader, son Dax, Ellie and Racyne Mader. Introducing them was Cst. John Puterbough, of Merritt RCMP, one of the riders. (Richard McGuire photo)
When the Cops for Kids cyclists showed up for dinner Friday evening at the Osoyoos Elks Hall, they had a chance to meet a local family their fundraising has helped.
Racyne and Craig Mader brought their young daughter, Ellie, who is now out of B.C. Children’s Hospital and back home after extensive treatments for a rare form of cancer. Ellie was first hospitalized back in January.
The couple also brought their son Dax.
Racyne said Ellie is now doing well.
It was an emotional moment as the couple thanked Cst. John Puterbough, of Merritt RCMP, who introduced them, as well as the other cyclists taking part in a 10-day ride throughout southeast B.C.
For the second year in a row, the Osoyoos Elks Club hosted the Cops for Kids riders for a dinner to end their first day on the road.
Before the dinner, the Elks presented a cheque for $1,000 to the charity.
Cops for Kids began their ride in Kelowna that morning and cycled as far as Penticton, said Grant Fletcher, a civilian board member who is currently president of the charity.
They drove down to Osoyoos for the dinner, before resuming the cycle ride on Saturday.
Fletcher said most of the cyclists are RCMP members from throughout the Southeast District of the RCMP, but there were a few non-RCMP participants, including a Canada Border Services officer, a couple sheriffs, a doctor, two dentists and a pharmacist.
In total, there are 22 RCMP riders and seven civilians on the ride, Fletcher said.
The annual ride takes 10 days and covers 1,000 kilometres, passing through Cranbrook, Invermere, Golden, Revelstoke, Salmon Arm, Kamloops, Vernon and back to Kelowna, he said.
Unlike other police cycling groups that cycle under the name Cops for Cancer for the Canadian Cancer Society, Cops for Kids is more flexible with the funds it raises, using them for multiple purposes.
Cops for Kids is a charitable foundation formed in 2001, said Fletcher.
“At the time, it was decided that they would try and have more flexibility on raising the funds rather than riding for just a single charity,” he said. “By forming their own charitable foundation, we were able to administer the funds ourselves.”
The charity helps children and their families, when children are in medical, physical or psychological crisis, he said.
They assist with travel and housing for families with children staying at BC Children’s Hospital and provide mobility tools, for example, that aren’t covered by insurance or government.
“It’s always children-based,” said Fletcher. “There’s an application process and we have a group within the foundation that vets the applications and makes the decision as to the amount of funding that is warranted.”
Those wanting more information or to contribute can visit: www.copsforkids.org.
RICHARD McGUIRE
Osoyoos Times
Elks President Karen Hardy (left) and Treasurer Annette Star (right) presented a mock cheque for $1,000 to RCMP Cst. Andrew Deane for Cops for Kids. Fortunately they had a real cheque to give him right afterwards. (Richard McGuire photo)
