Holy Family CES students thanked for Pedal for Hope fundraising

Police present $300,000 cheque to Canadian Cancer Society for kids fighting cancer

By Jennifer O’Meara
Clarington This Week 

BOWMANVILLE — Holy Family Catholic Elementary School students and staff cheered as police officers presented the Canadian Cancer Society with a cheque for $319,358.31 raised at schools across Durham and Peterborough through Pedal for Hope last year.

“Boys and girls out here, you guys are amazing. Every year you shave your heads, you cut your ponytails, you buy ice cream, lots and lots of ice cream,” said teacher Zandra Smith, organizer for the 2017-2018 Holy Family Pedal for Hope campaign.

Last year, Holy Family school raised $15,555 through Pedal for Hope to support kids fighting cancer. The Bowmanville elementary school has participated in the campaign for the past 10 years and in recent years is consistently one of the top local fundraising schools for the Pedal for Hope tour.

Pedal for Hope is a three week cycling tour delivering a message about kids living with cancer and supporting pediatric cancer research. Each year, local police officers on the Pedal for Hope team shed their uniforms, hop on a bike and pedal more than 1,000 kilometres to visit schools around Ontario.

“The most important thing is that connection between the police and our community in a positive way,” said Durham police Const. Elaine Duguay. “We have so much fun when we come to the schools. The kids have a blast.”

Peterborough Victoria Northumberland and Clarington Catholic District School Board and Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board schools support the Pedal for Hope tour. Schools begin raising money long before the bikes arrive, through spirit days, ice cream sales, coin drives and more. Students of all ages get involved, even those who don’t opt for a hair cut.

“It’s really important to present the cheque in front of the students. They’re the ones raising the money. Pedal for Hope would not be successful without all the students at the schools,” said Alison Payne, Canadian Cancer Society senior manager for Durham and Peterborough.

Members of the Durham Regional Police were on hand at Holy Family Catholic Elementary School in Bowmanville for a special presentation regarding their Pedal For Hope fundraiser on Sept. 24. A cheque for $319,358.00 was donated to the Canadian Cancer Society, $15,555.00 of that total was raised by Holy Family students and staff. DRPS Sgt John Townsend spoke to the assembly about some of the new initiatives and fundraising opportunities. – Ron Pietroniro / Metroland