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Appreciation raises money for Tour de Valley

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When Ken Richardson of Pastime Hobbies and Games invited the Cops for Cancer to come and visit his store on Saturday, they jumped at the chance.

“Of course we didn’t say no,” said Bill de Groot, the Canadian Cancer Society’s B.C. community giving coordinator.

The invitation was to be part of customer appreciation day at the store, which sells games and sports memorabilia.

Richardson wanted to organize an event that would give back to the community, and Cops for Cancer specifically supports Camp Goodtimes, the only summer camp in B.C. for kids in, or recovering from, cancer treatment.

“Camp Goodtimes is a good program,” Richardson said.

At the end of September, the Cops for Cancer Tour de Valley riders will set out on a nine-day ride that will take them from Delta to the Fraser Valley and back. Right now, the team members, all law enforcement personnel, are raising more than $5,000 each for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Several riders came out to the Saturday event, where they were accepting donations and selling Buddy Bears, and riding a stationary bike in preparation for the big event next month.

Meanwhile those stopping by could hear live music, meet and get an item signed by former Vancouver Canuck Tony Tanti, and meet with various members of the Langley Rivermen junior hockey team.

Many of the activities added up to extra funds for the Cops for Cancer. Tanti was signing one item for free, any additional items were by donation.

Richardson also collected second-hand NHL hockey jerseys for the kids at Camp Goodtimes.

His program allowed those with high-end jerseys to trade them in – they’d get $100 off a new jersey, and each jersey donated turned into a $25 donation to the Cancer Society. The old jerseys were then donated.

On Sunday, the customer appreciation weekend continued with the funds going towards the Rick Hansen Foundation instead.

In total on Saturday, the event raised $1,500 for the Cops for Cancer.



Matthew Claxton

About the Author: Matthew Claxton

Raised in Langley, as a journalist today I focus on local politics, crime and homelessness.
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