Dozens of police officers from all over Sea to Sky country are going beyond the call of duty in Squamish this weekend, and this time they'll be trying to take each other down.
Officers from detachments in West Vancouver, North Vancouver, as well as support staff from the Department of Oceans and Fisheries and volunteers from Camp Goodtimes have formed six teams for the annual Cops for Cancer ball tournament and fundraiser for child-related cancer research.
"I don't think it'll be too competitive," laughed organizer Tyler Cook. "But I suspect it'll be fun."
The event includes a silent auction at Brennan Park Leisure Centre and two days worth of softball at the nearby Centennial Fields and the men's softball diamond.
The Canadian Cancer Society's Cops for Cancer is a partnership between the Canadian Cancer Society and police officers, RCMP and local military police from across British Columbia.
The event began in June 1994 when Sergeant Gary Goulet of the Edmonton Police Service met Lyle Jorgenson, a 5-year-old boy who had cancer.
Goulet requested the meeting after learning that Lyle was being ridiculed at school because of his hair loss due to chemotherapy. Goulet was so moved by the boy's story that he decided to do something. That was the beginning of the Canadian Cancer Society's Cops for Cancer campaign.
Another component of the fundraiser has a police officer cycle 600 kilometres over six days.
On Sept. 24, Const. Troy Goddard of the Squamish detachment will take on the task of cycle touring and stopping in communities along the way.
Each fall, Canadian law enforcement personnel cycle a pre-designated route in their region, raising funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research and programs that support kids with cancer, such as Camp Goodtimes.
Over the span of a week, teams of cyclists make their way through B.C., stopping to participate in various fundraising events and speaking engagements.spaillard@squamishchief.com
