For the first time in two years Pedal for Hope rode into Northumberland County.
Pedal for Hope is a group of police officers who raise awareness and funds for all childhood cancers.
The group of bicycle riders have been biking around Peterborough, Durham, Northumberland and other areas.
Since COVID they had to cancel for the last two years, but last week the riders and entourage toured around various schools driving through the parking lots.
Lee Cooke from the Durham Regional Police said since 2005 approximately $5.5 million has been donated to Sick Kids Hospital to go into their programming.
On Thursday, May 19, 2022 the group stopped at Northumberland Hills Hospital to thank the doctors and nurses specifically from the oncology unit.
Another special event at the hospital was nine-year-old Kendra Budgell from Baltimore got her hair cut and donated it to Wigs for Kids.
Budgell had been growing her hair for three years and donated it on behalf of a relative who was diagnosed with cancer a year ago and had major surgery and is doing fine now.
“It’s very heartwarming to see as we’re on the ride, to see the kids who are at different schools as they cheer us on. Teacher’s yesterday were wearing Pedal for Hope t-shirts that we had sold a couple of years ago. So it’s nice to see their enthusiasm.”
Officers that took part in Thursday’s event were from Durham Regional Police, Northumberland OPP, Peterborough OPP and RCMP.
The group of riders started last week in Oshawa and have been to Courtice, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Port Hope, Cobourg and travelling around Peterborough on Friday.
Manager of Special Events with the Canadian Cancer Society, Alison Payne said the funds from Pedal for Hope have made a “huge difference.”
“It’s funded multiple Canadian Cancer Society grants for pediatric cancer research. It also funds a online counselling program which was started in 2019 through Sick Kids Hospital to give families online support as they are going through their child’s cancer journey. That service started through Pedal for Hope.”
Payne said that all the officers ride in honour of a child who has or had cancer.
“The team bikes through rain and snow and that’s whose on their minds. Those kids are incredible. Their strength is incredible. And getting out to see them again is incredibly heartwarming.”
The cyclists rode to Cobourg Police Station to pay a visit.
Deputy Chief Jeff Haskins said Pedal for Hope is an amazing program.
“There is some people here that have been involved since it’s inception. So that just demonstrates the commitment these people have and the community and police have to this program.”
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
