(Today’s Northumberland file photos)
On Thursday, June 5, 2025, Cobourg Police Service (CPS) and Port Hope Police Service (PHPS) will join Community Living & Respite Care Northumberland (Community Living) to run, walk, and bike in support of Special Olympics Ontario in the 2025 Law Enforcement Torch Run.
Starting at the Port Hope Police Service, escorted by police cruisers, the torch run team, made up of CPS, PHPS, and Community Living members, will run, walk, or bike a route through Port Hope, raising awareness and funds for Special Olympics Ontario. The second leg of the Torch Run will continue in Cobourg, finishing by carrying the Flame of Hope down King Street to the finish at Community Living 275 Cottesmore Avenue. The community is invited to cheer on the participants from a safe location, such as a sidewalk or front lawn, as they make their way along the route.
The Torch Run team will collect donations along the route and online throughout the month. You can donate to support Special Olympics by visiting the CPS/PHPS Torch Run page at letrontario.crowdchange.ca/70120.
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) considers Special Olympics their “charity of choice,” and over 97,000 Law Enforcement members participate in the fundraiser worldwide. Officers who carry the Flame of Hope during the run are called Guardians of the Flame. The flame will be carried throughout the local event.
Torch Run Event and Route Details:
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Port Hope Leg – 5km
• 11:00 a.m. START: Port Hope Police Service (55 Fox Road, Port Hope)
• Route through town ending at Giant Tiger in Port Hope (145 Peter Street)
Cobourg Leg – 5km
• 12:15 p.m. START: Giant Tiger in Cobourg (1111 Elgin Street, Cobourg)
• Route south past Cobourg Police Service
• Pick up Community Living participants enroute
• Ends at Community Living (275 Cottesmore Avenue)
Other ways to support Special Olympics Ontario – 2025 Special Olympics Torch Run Coin
CPS and PHPS have created the 2025 Special Olympics Torch Run coin.
The coins are available for purchase at the Cobourg Police Service (107 King Street East, Cobourg) and the Port Hope Police Service (55 Fox Road, Port Hope) for $20 each.
All proceeds from the coins will go to support Special Olympics Ontario. This year’s design features the CPS and PHPS cruisers. The coins are a limited edition and will be sold on a first come, first served basis while supply lasts.
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
