Cobourg Police – Torch Run Ontario’s Flame of Hope Burns Bright in Cobourg

Pete Fisher
4 years ago
• Categories: Charity, Local, Police Blotter

Cobourg Police and Community Living and Respite Services Northumberland celebrate a successful event in
support of Special Olympics Ontario

Cobourg Police Service (CPS) and Community Living and Respite Services Northumberland (CLRSN) partnered once again for the Law Enforcement Torch Run to raise money for Special Olympics Ontario.

Due to the event being virtual this year, these two organizations took to social media to garner interest and
promote their fundraising efforts. The Torch Run hoped to raise $34,000 (overall) for the 34 years the event has
been taking place, and Cobourg Police set the target of $1,000 locally. Thanks to the community’s support, CPS
and CLRSN not only reached their goal but nearly doubled it by raising $1,850.

Special Olympics Ontario is a program dedicated to helping local athletes with intellectual disabilities find
inclusion, acceptance, and empowerment through sports. The organization uses various fundraisers, such as
Torch Run Ontario, to support over 26,000 athletes living with disabilities in our province.

The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) first showed their support for Special Olympics Ontario nearly
fifteen years ago with their Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR). Since then, OACP considers this their “charity
of choice” and over 97,000 Law Enforcement members participate in the fundraiser worldwide. Those officers
who carry the Flame of Hope during the run are called Guardians of the Flame. Cobourg Police Service had 23
members participate this year.

Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf is a firm supporter of LETR, and was happy to see the event lead by
Sergeant Michael Richardson this year.

“Even with the event being virtual this year, we came together to cheer each other on as we completed our
individual challenges. With the help of all our friends at Community Living, we exceeded our fundraising goal,
and were happy to raise money to support a great cause. Thank you to everyone who donated and joined our
Torch Run celebration online. We can’t wait to be back in person next year.” – Sergeant Michael Richardson,
Cobourg Police Service

The Ontario Virtual Torch Run took place across our province between May 3 and June 6, with Cobourg Police
holding their online event during the final week. Both CPS and CLRSN were disappointed at not being able to
get together in person for this beloved fundraiser, but have hope next year will return to an in-person event.
Wandlynn Tinney, Direct Support Professional at CLRSN, says, “for many years, Community Living and Respite
Services Northumberland and Cobourg Police Service (CPS) have come together for a variety of events and
activities. The Special Olympics Torch Run is an annual activity everyone enjoys. The opportunity to run alongside
the amazing officers and staff of CPS during their last leg of the run, then come together for a BBQ, it’s an event that all people participating look forward to every year. The relationships and camaraderie built during this event
are truly amazing. This year Community Living participants and staff ran, cheered and supported virtually with
our friends from CPS. We look forward to participating for many more years to come.”

The donation portal is still open, and to date, the Ontario Virtual Torch Run 2021 has raised over $101,632.00
for Special Olympics Ontario. Cobourg Police Service and Community Living and Respite Services
Northumberland are grateful for all the support they received from the community to help make this possible.

Photo (left to right): Wandlynn Tinney (Direct Support Professional at CLRSN), Sergeant Michael Richardson,
Special Constable Alicia Smith, and Silvana Guinand (Management Assistant at CLRSN)