2023 Cops for Kids Ride presented by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation  

Cops for Kids are coming, and they’re locking up the best.

On Wednesday September 13 the Cops for Kids Ride will arrive in Cranbrook, and the day will feature a Jail & Bail fundraiser at Tamarack Centre.

The event is a part of the 10-day Cops for Kids ride across southeastern B.C. to raise funds and awareness for local children in medical, physical, or traumatic crisis across southeastern B.C.

Prior to the team’s 4 p.m. arrival to the Cranbrook RCMP detachment, the public is invited to nominate a friend or colleague to take part in the fun Jail & Bail fundraiser at Tamarack Centre.

Unsuspecting law-abiding citizens will be arrested and tried before the kangaroo court before they’re placed in the cell at Tamarack Centre where they’ll need to raise their “bail” in the form of pledges for Cops for Kids. All funds will support local kids in their journey to wellness.

The Cops for Kids Ride kicks off in Kelowna and will spend five days cycling through the South Okanagan and Kootenays before arriving in Cranbrook on Wednesday. From here, the team will spend the next five days cycling back through Golden, Salmon Arm, and Kamloops to return to Kelowna on Sunday, September 17 to finish the annual event.

The ride is a culmination of each riders’ year-long efforts volunteering at community events, training on their own time, and fundraising a minimum of $2,500 each so that they can be a part of this riding team. For them, it’s a small sacrifice compared to what families go through in a time of crisis.

Cranbrook is represented by three local riders this year. Returning veteran rider Lisa Barnes is joined by Cst. Holly Mumford, and Steve Mercandelli to round out the team of 24 cyclists completing this monumental journey to help local children.

The ride will stop in communities across southeastern B.C. where the team will be met by the children who benefit from the fundraising efforts year-round.

These interactions with families are the reason the riders keep pedalling each day with sore legs and often unfavourable weather conditions. Community fundraising events and gatherings are held to welcome the team, and to help provide the funds needed by families with a child in crisis. Folks are asked to show their support by coming to the detachment on Wednesday, September 13 at 4 p.m. to meet the team.

Since 2001, Cops for Kids have raised over $6.1 million in support of local children in medical, physical, or traumatic crisis. To follow the team on their journey, or to make a donation please visit the website at www.copsforkids.org or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

Cranbrook RCMP will also be at Bridge Interiors this Friday, September 8 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. for a fundraiser BBQ for Cops for Kids!

2023 Cops for Kids Ride Dates 

Various community events are held in support of Cops for Kids, before and during the ride that enable us to stop in each community to meet with local children, families and supporters.

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