Sooke RCMP Const. Mary-Ellen Somerville headed out on the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock with some unfinished fundraising on her mind.
"It's been a long time coming, with a lot of training," Somerville said regarding the Tour de Rock's departure from Admiral's Walk in Esquimalt on Saturday. "I feel very excited to ready to finally get started."
Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is an annual event where police agencies and emergency service personnel cycle 1,200 km, covering Vancouver Island from Port Alice to Victoria to raise money for childhood cancer research and support services at the Canadian Cancer Society.
Two more major fundraising events remain fixed on her horizon when she returns to Sooke.
The Locks for Loot head shave event, where Somerville will bid farewell to her hair, is being scheduled at the end of the tour.
"I've raised $5,000 for my head shave so far, so I'm halfway there," said Somerville, who has already raised a total of $40,000 for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. "I'm determined to double that to at least $10,000."
The other major event Somerville is banking on is a community dinner and casino night on Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at Sooke Community Hall at 2047 Shields Rd.
"All of the Tour de Rock riders will be there sitting at different tables talking with those in attendance," she said. "Tickets cost $50 and include dinner, a casino buy-in, and a tax-refundable receipt. My heartfelt thanks go out to Sooke Lions Club and Sooke Harboursdie Lions for their amazing efforts with this event."
Tickets are available at the Sooke RCMP detachment at 2076 Church Rd., Forbes Pharmacy at 6691 Logan Ln., Pharmasave Sooke at 6716 West Coast Rd., and the Sooke Family Resource Society thrift store at 2065 Anna Marie Rd.
"Everyone in the community, including individuals, local businesses and organizations, has come together in support of such a great cause," she said. "I will cherish the connections I've made with them, my team and my honorary rider forever."
For more information on the tour, or to make a donation, visit https://www.theraven.fm/calendar/event/cops-for-cancer-tour-de-rock-2024/.
