There’s just one thing seven-year-old Williams Lake resident Chase Lamont wanted to let all of the riders who participated in last week’s Cops for Cancer Tour de North know.
Thank you.
“The most important thing — I had the absolute privilege of riding with Chase the last few kilometres and the one thing he wanted for me to say is thank you. So thank you,” said Williams Lake RCMP Staff Sgt. Ken Brissard while addressing the group of 22 riders, who’d just received a grand reception from family, friends and community members.
The riders cycled 900 kilometres in seven days from Dawson Creek to Williams Lake and arrived at the Williams Lake and District Credit Union last Thursday.
Dave Dickson, one of the riders on the tour and also Williams Lake’s safer communities co-ordinator, said this year’s group anticipates to raise close to $300,000.
Chase, who is doing well after a battle with cancer last year, was this year’s Williams Lake honouree.
“It’s not about me it’s about what we can do to hopefully elminiate pediatric cancer and send kids who have been impacted to Camp Good Times,” Dickson said. “It was very special [for Chase] and kudos to Staff Sgt. Brissard for doing that.”
This was Dickson’s third year participating in the Cops for Cancer Tour de North. Other Williams Lake RCMP members who participated in this year’s tour included Williams Lake RCMP members Steve Stewart, Brendan Charna, Scott Austin (media rider), Brian Evans, Casey Charles and Chris Romanchych.
“This was likely our strongest team,” Dickson said. “We had a great time. We pushed heavy winds (Thursday, Sept. 19) but we knew people would be here to cheer us on.
“It’s an experience that’s hard to describe when you hear the clapping and the people, and you see all the smiles and the pats on the back.”
Following the arrival at the WLDCU riders and guests shifted to Thompson Rivers University for a welcome home barbecue where Williams Lake resident Amanda Sherwood, who had been collecting donations at the Bean Counter, had her head shaved in a show of support for Chase.
Sherwood, Dickson said, raised more than $1,200.
For more, or to make a donation, visit www.copsforcancerbc.ca.