Tour de Rock event returns to benefit Camp Goodtimes
NANAIMO, British Columbia — From the first time Adam Fras, former Parksville firefighter, learned about the Tour de Rock in high school, he knew he wanted to be part of it. “I admired what a large endeavor it was” says Adam. Tour de Rock is a two-week, 1,200-kilometre bike ride around Vancouver Island by community-based first responders to raise money for children and their families affected by cancer. He was invited to apply in 2020 and began training and then Covid hit.
The Tour happened on a smaller scale during that year and the following year and is back this year bigger and better than ever. “The organizers reached out again earlier this year and asked if I was interested and of course I said yes,” says Adam. There are 21 members on the Vancouver Island team, which is divided into the South Island and North Island groups. The training is rigorous, according to Adam, who says the North Island group get onto their bikes on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday. They focus on distance and skills training on Sunday and speed on Thursday. Tuesday is hill day.
Some of the proceeds from monies raised go towards supporting Camp Goodtimes, where kids living with cancer experience a summer camp joined by their families, “It’s a wonderful experience for the kids. Many of them have said they’re not the unique kid with cancer since everyone is going through the cancer journey and challenges just like they are,” explains Adam.
The Tour de Rock was started in 1994 in Alberta, where Edmonton police offer Gary Goulet became friends with a boy with cancer, who was being teased for not having hair due to his chemotherapy treatments. Gary, who sported a shaved head, arranged for the lad to have his picture taken with him in front of a police cruiser. Seven cops shaved their heads and joined the photo. And that’s how Cops for Cancer began.
The first ride on Vancouver Island was in 1998 and raised $325,000. Since then, Tour de Rock has raised more than $26 million for both pediatric cancer research and support programs. The Tour de Rocks comes through Parksville-Qualicum on Thursday, September 29. The fundraising goal this year is at least $600,000.
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