Riders are ready to roll – photo 250News

Prince George, B.C.- Once again, the Cops for Cancer Tour De North  is on its way.

The annual fundraiser for child cancer research and Camp Goodtimes,   was  given an enthusiastic send off from the parking lot of the Canadian Tire  this morning.

Pamela Saulters knows too well how much research  means to families.  Her four year old daughter, Audrey,  is on a cancer journey . “To the riders,  I just want to say thank you so much,  this  gives us  hope,  hope for better research, hope there will be  cure,  hope there will be better treatments.”

The riders, mostly RCMP  officers from throughout  the North District,  will  make their  way  from Prince George to Prince Rupert over the next  week.

It is a ride they have been training for and  fundraising for, over the past year.

Stops in communities along the way will  see riders collecting more donations.

People like Claudette Beauchamp ( in photo at right) will be making their own efforts to fund raise.  Claudette raised  about $2 thousand dollars  in a challenge that had her  have her hair cut ( long enough  to make a wig)  and  her head shaved.  This is the third time she has  done this for the cause.

On  site this morning, three of the  young cancer survivors,  a visual  reference  to the reason why these officers are taking this journey.

Canadian Cancer Society’s Margaret Jones Bricker  told  the riders their efforts  have a personal  connection for her this year.  “What you do makes a difference in the lives of children with cancer and their families.”  She relayed how here great-neice Heather  celebrated her first birthday in June, “Heather is a cancer survivor following 8 months of treatment.  It  has been a  very tough year for the family, and we are all looking forward to brighter times ahead”  she turned to the riders and said “You made this  possible.”

Pamela Saulters  reminded the riders that when the going  gets tough, “Think about these children,  who are missing a piece of their childhood, who go through so much pain that truly none of us  can imagine.”  She told them to enjoy the  good moments and the support offered by the communities they will visit,  “As hard as it is,  there is joy, and there is hope.”

Donations can still be made to the Tour de North,  by clicking here.