Nelson trio add local flavour to annual Cops for Kids Ride
By Contributor
A trio of Nelsonites have been putting in miles on the road all summer for a chance to ride to help local kids.
BC Sheriffs Mike Kosof, Rob Crowder and RCMP civilian Karen Armstrong have joined the 2015 Thomas Alan Budd Foundation Cops for Kids Ride Team.
The trio leaves Kelowna on Friday (September 11th) on a 10-day, 1,000 kilometer cycling journey across South Eastern British Columbia.
“I’m excited to be back on the ride after missing 2014,” said Kosof. “This is such a great team of people who really want to make a difference in the community. “
The annual Cops for Kids Ride raises funds and awareness for children in medical, physical and traumatic crisis in our region, for the funding of medical equipment, therapies, travel to Children’s Hospital, learning & mobility aids.
Since 2001, Cops for Kids have raised over $3.1 million in support of local children!
During the 10-day ride, Cops for Kids riders will cycle into 18 different communities across South Eastern British Columbia, where they will have the opportunity to meet many of the children who benefit from this event.
Meeting these Little Ambassadors will remind each rider of the challenges that they face each day, and it will keep them focused to help better the lives of these children.
“I’m really excited to hit the road,” added Crowder. “We’ve been training and fundraising for this all summer, and now our hard work will pay off when we get to support the children who really need it.”
As a part of the 2015 Cops for Kids Ride, the team will be arriving into Nelson on Monday (September 14th) at noon.
The group will be hosted and supported by local groups at the RCMP Detachment, Leo’s Pizza, Prestige Inn & from the local Rotary and Veteran’s clubs.
Cops for Kids are grateful for the generosity shown by all of our communities.
“Our riders join us from across the region, and they’ve each raised a minimum of $2,000 through various fundraising efforts in their own community,” Ride Captain, Julio Krenz.
During the ride, local community groups, restaurants, and hotels generously extend their hospitality to our team. Saving on these costs allows us to put all of our efforts towards the children.”
“We are very honoured to be welcomed into each community with such open arms,” Krenz added.
For Armstrong, it’s the obligation she feels to give back to her community that encouraged her to join the team.
“Mike’s had some great experiences on the ride, and I’ve supported the team when they arrive into Nelson every year, so this year I decided to join the team myself. Cash donations are always greatly appreciated, but I wanted to really challenge myself this year.”
Photo Caption: From left, Mike Kosof, Rob Crowder and RCMP civilian Karen Armstrong, snap a photo at Christina Lake prior to the start of Friday’s Cops for Kids Ride. — Submitted photo
