End is near for modified Cops for Kids ride

The Cops For Kids Ride will pedal its way through Vernon Saturday (Sept. 19), but it won’t be the same as past years.

The 20th anniversary of the ten-day charity event has been modified to comply with COVID safety guidelines.

Presented by the Impact Tomorrow Foundation, the event would normally have a team of riders team pedaling together across the region stopping in each community to raise funds and awareness for local children, but they’ve adapted the event for this year.

“For the riders, spending more than 50 hours on their bike without the support will challenge them immensely,” said Constable Chris Terleski, media relations officer for Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. “Perhaps what they’ll miss more than the comradery of their teammates, will be the opportunity to interact with supporters and the children who benefit from their fundraising efforts.”

Terleski said a key component of the safety includes no stops in each community to meet with the general public.

“Instead, people are asked to line the streets to cheer and wave for the team at a safe distance as they pass through. These waves and cheers will remind the riders of the children who are relying on them this year more than ever, and will serve as the reminder that quitting simply isn’t an option.”

To catch a glimpse of the team passing through Vernon, supporters are asked to stand safely along 32 Street southbound from 43rd Avenue to 39th Avenue at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The trek will end in Kelowna on Sunday.

Other dates and times to catch the team are available the organization’s website and social media at www.copsforkids.org