The Countdown is On!

One week from today, 25 cyclists from RCMP Detachments, BC Sheriffs, Canadian Border Service Agency, and Auxiliary Constables from across South Eastern BC will begin their 1,000km journey to help raise money for kids who need it most. I’m honored to captain this team once again in the 15^th anniversary, and excited to introduce you to the members of our 2016 Cops for Kids Ride team.

Each member of this team has provided their own bike, trained on their own time for this incredible journey, volunteered their time, and raised a minimum of $2,000 in order to be on this team. While the minimum is $2,000 in order to participate, we have riders who have well exceeded that goal which will all help local kids who need to travel to receive medical treatment in larger centres, or therapies and tools to aid with mobility & learning.

Over the 10 day journey our team will have to work hard and work together, something that they do every day in their jobs as law enforcement in our communities. There are some long days of pedalling, and some steep mountain passes to get over and it’s not going to be easy. We’re likely to see all 4 seasons over our journey, but the team does not stop pushing forward much like the kids who face illness, disability or traumatic crisis that they’re riding for.

Our 2016 Cops for Kids Ride Team:

Karen ARMSTRONG, Kootenay Boundary Regional RCMP Detachment

Cst. Fred ARNOLD, Kelowna RCMP

Dale AULENBACK, Kelowna ret’d Auxiliary Constable

Christine BANFORD, Kamloops CBSA

John BAUER, Kelowna Auxiliary Constable

Cst. Krista BOUDREAU, Enderby RCMP

Rob CROWDER, Nelson BC Sheriffs Service

Cpl. Dirk FINKENSIEP, Fort St. John RCMP

Grant FLETCHER, Cops for Kids Vice-President

Cst. Rob GARDNER, Comox Valley RCMP

Cst. Eva HARDING, Trail RCMP

Gail HARRISON, Cops for Kids President

Luke KIRSCHNER, RCMP recruit

Mike KOSOF, Nelson BC Sheriffs Service

Cst. Bill LONG, Nelson Kootenay Boundary Regional RCMP

Sgt. Jayson LUCASH, Lake Country RCMP

Denise MCMAHON, Vernon RCMP

Cpl. James MOORE, Revelstoke RCMP

Cst. Gerard POITRAS, Kamloops RCMP

Alan PROFILI, CBSA Osoyoos

Cst. Nicolas REIMANN, Vernon RCMP

Cst. Mireille SANCHEZ, Montreal RCMP

Cpl. Heather SWETNAM, South East District RCMP

Randy Wolczuk, Kelowna Auxiliary Constable

Cst. Claudia WYTRWAL, South East District RCMP

There’s also a team that supports the cyclists on their route. These are the people behind the scenes steering the ship, keeping the cyclists safe, comfortable and prepared.

Our 2016 Support Crew:

Motorcycle – Cpl. Gevan DALE, Kelowna RCMP

Police Car – Cst. Jesse O’DONAGHEY, Kelowna RCMP

Cube Van Storage – Peter FINKENSIEP

Motorhome – Lori FENNESSY

Bus – Chuck VASKO

Event Coordinator – Courtney KING

Ride Captain – retired S/Sgt. Major Julio KRENZ

During our 10 days, the team will have the opportunity to meet some incredible supporters along the way and we’re very thankful for the generosity. Wishing our riders a safe journey…

Julio KRENZ,

Ride Captain