Welcome Home

Today, our team of cyclists enjoyed a sunny return to Kelowna to cap off the 2026 Cops for Kids Ride. These folks left home on Thursday September 10th to meet in Kelowna for the first time, before embarking on the voyage across South East District. In that time, the team experienced the highs of accomplishment, pride for their work, gratitude for the supporters and hosts, and hope for the families for whom they ride. Along the way there were likely also a few feelings of pain and struggle paired often with cold or hot depending on the day and the location.

As a team, they learned to pivot their plans. When things didn’t go as planned, the team of like-minded individuals found creative solutions to overcome the obstacles in front of them. These challenges helped to shape the group who were once strangers or even casual acquaintances into lifelong friends from this shared experience.

Along the way, the team met some of the incredible families who have benefitted from our fundraising efforts. Their stories inspired the cyclists to dig deep when times got tough, and to remember the reason why we tackle this journey each year. To the families who came out to meet with the team, thank you for sharing your time to support those who support our communities.

In each community along the route, the team was fed and hosted by some generous service clubs, restaurants and hotels who all came together to help give towards our mission. A warm delicious meal and a place to rest the weary bones gave the team the ability to keep going, and to feel both appreciated and supported by the communities. Without these hosts, the costs of our ride would exceed our fundraising capacity, so thank you for helping to ensure that our dollars go forward to the kids, without overhead expenses.

Now as our team returns home to mountains of laundry and the reality of their regular duties, we also recognize the employers and families who have covered off while the riders took time away from their lives to complete this journey. We know that they were missed during this time, and appreciate the group effort it takes for a rider to participate in the ride.

While the ride may be over for another year, our work as a foundation never ends. To date, we’ve received over 300 requests for assistance, and we’ll continue to bring in funding to help as many families as possible. Our fundraising efforts this year have raised nearly $270,000 and we’re honoured to act as stewards for these funds to help provide financial assistance for families across our region.

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of the ride this year in some way, this is truly a community effort.

With gratitude,

Brent Mundle

President

Cops for Kids