By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle
With tears in her eyes, a mother expressed heartfelt thanks to a humble group of Cops for Kids in Oliver last week.
All eyes were on mom and child as she explained how the annual charity ride helped the family through tough times while her child underwent medical treatment in Kelowna hospital shortly after her birth.
The money raised by Cops for Kids helped ease the family’s financial burdens during the crisis.
A group of 24 riders stopped at the Oliver fire hall on Sept. 9 to rest and collect donations during their long cycling journey throughout the Kootenays and the South Okanagan, with stops in Oliver and Osoyoos. It’s an arduous journey at the best of times, with hill climbs over Anarchist Mountain and Paulson Pass.
“For them the hard work of the ride will be over in 10 days, but for the kids we meet along the way, their journey to wellness is much longer,” said ride captain, retired Staff Sgt. Major Julio Krenz.
Rider Gail Harrison said when the cycling journey starts to hurt, she thinks of the parents and their children dealing with their medical challenges.
Members of the Osoyoos Elks Lodge stand with Zeeman with their cheque for $1,000. Don Urquhart photo
“That’s what pulls me up those mountains. I tell myself they don’t quit, so neither can I.”
Krenz said these riders chose a life of service in law enforcement, and being able to pedal across the region to raise money for children in crisis is just one more way to serve their communities.
One of those officers is Cst. Jared Zeeman from Oliver, who accepted a total of $3,500 in donations on behalf of Cops for Kids at the fire hall stop.
Riders take a break in Oliver. Lyonel Doherty photos
