A group of local riders from previous Tour de Rock rides will conduct a small tour through Nanaimo on Sunday, Sept. 25 as the fundraiser rolls on despite pandemic restrictions. (Tour de Rock)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

saddle up

Tour de Rock rolls through Nanaimo

Sep 26, 2021 | 6:25 AM

NANAIMO — Rain or shine, the show must roll on for a major fundraiser for cancer research.

The Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock is making its way down Island, again in a modified format, which will see local rides featuring local alumni riders instead of one travelling peloton.

Riders will tour through Nanaimo on Sunday, Sept. 26 before continuing their journey out of the city and to Ladysmith on Monday, Sept. 27.

“Cancer doesn’t take a backseat when a pandemic hits and our kids are still going to camp with their families and pediatric cancer research is still critically important,” Tiffany McFadyen from the Canadian Cancer Society said.

A barbeque will be held at the Nanaimo train station on Selby St. between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

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The Tour de Rock is an annual, two-week ride down and across Vancouver Island in a bid to raise funds for children and families battling pediatric cancer.

Throughout its history, since 1998, the ride has raised $26 million and is looking to raise $600,000 this year alone.

Money specifically goes towards cancer research as well as support programs like Camp Goodtimes where sick kids can have an authentic camp experience.

“(This year) it was a private camp experience for an entire family unit to attend. They got a four day camp visit and all of the funds raising from Cops for Cancer funded those families to go.

McFadyen expected camps run in 2022 would be back to a more normal experience.

“We’ll have hundreds of families and kids that can attend the camp program next year with the funding we raise through Tour de Rock this year.”

This year’s ride ends Friday, Oct. 1 in Victoria.

–with files from 97.3 The Eagle

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