Tour de Rock team gets 'uplifting' boost from childhood cancer survivors in Nanaimo
The 25th anniversary Tour de Rock team celebrated the 10th day of their two-week ride by pedalling into Nanaimo, B.C., on Monday.
The team arrived in a familiar place in the Harbour City: Aspengrove School, which they've visited for several years now.
This year, the team was gifted a $5,000 cheque raised by students and staff.
"They came by, we cheered them on, it was great," said Grade 12 student Brooklyn Barootes.
"I really think it really helps build a community here between us and them," she said.
The tour continued past north Nanaimo to Chemainus, B.C., hitting up multiple schools and local businesses along the way.
"Our distances are getting shorter but the stops are getting more and more," said Victoria police constable and rider Tristan Williams.
Other riders added that the stops give the team more energy "to get to the next destination."
But what really motivates the team is their honorary riders.
"It's so uplifting to have them with us because it's a reminder of why we are doing this," said Williams.
"When it gets tough we know we are doing it for these kids."
Williams is partnered with an honorary rider named Owen, whose older brother lost his battle with cancer.
Another honorary member, Chloe, is a Grade 6 student at Mountain View Elementary School in Nanaimo.
The Tour de Rock team also made a stop at her school on Monday morning.
"It's great. I know she loves it and it makes her feel pretty important, pretty special," said Chloe's mom, Cora.
"It's a good cause and we are all about it," she said.
Tour de Rock rider Robin Campbell, who's representing Cups for Cancer – a charity in the Comox Valley that uses horses to raise money for Cops for Cancer – has met Chloe before.
The sixth grader isn't Campbell's honorary rider, but the pair met due to Chloe's love for horses.
"Getting to meet another kid who has battled cancer definitely gives me the energy," said Campbell. "I really need that energy right now."
It's energy that will help guide the team as they make their way south towards the Cowichan Valley Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.