It took all of 30 minutes for Karen Robinson and her husband to decide to settle in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淕eoffB次元官网网址檚 in the military and was transferred here, so we thought weB次元官网网址檇 look for a house in Sooke,B次元官网网址� explained Robinson, a rider in this yearB次元官网网址檚 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. B次元官网网址淎 half-hour of talking to people in the grocery store had that small-town feel, the kind of friendly, caring community we were looking for.B次元官网网址�
That sense of a caring community has been further highlighted, underlined, and reinforced during the 10 years theyB次元官网网址檝e lived in Sooke.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e seen how the community pulls together to help families battling cancer,B次元官网网址� said Robinson, a constable with Saanich Police for the past four years. B次元官网网址淭he support has been so amazing and touching. I want to do my part, which is why I joined the ride.B次元官网网址�
Robinson grew up with a friend who had childhood cancer and saw how hard it can be on a child and how it impacts their life. Part of her motivation as well as her mother had cancer in 2005, and she found out while training for Tour de Rock that itB次元官网网址檚 come back.
Another major source of motivation for Robinson is her honourary rider, Lily Lecinana, a 13-year-old Sooke resident and cancer survivor.
B次元官网网址淟ilyB次元官网网址檚 such an amazing, strong person, a very brave soul,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淲hen she spoke at my jersey presentation, I cried. It was so touching. Her determination and grit give me something to aspire to.B次元官网网址�
Although Robinson said she became familiar with the Tour de Rock when she first moved to the Island, this is the first year she has been able to join the team.
B次元官网网址淚 havenB次元官网网址檛 been on a bike for 20 years, but the training has been doable,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey push you harder than I thought, but I surprised myself with what I could accomplish. The support from the trainers and the other riders makes this possible.B次元官网网址�
Robinson, who started training for the Tour de Rock in February, had high praise for the Sooke Lions ClubsB次元官网网址� assistance with her fundraising initiatives that began in May.
Robinson said an event at the Sooke Legion on Aug. 28 raised more than $3,000, a testament to the communityB次元官网网址檚 amazing support.
B次元官网网址淚 am a mother of two daughters, Holly, whoB次元官网网址檚 nine, and Lorelai, whoB次元官网网址檚 11,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭hey have been helping me with all my fundraising events and are my biggest supporters.B次元官网网址�
This year marks the 25th year since the Tour de RockB次元官网网址檚 inception. It begins in Port Hardy on Sept. 24 and ends in Victoria two weeks later. The event has raised more than $25 million, with 20 per cent of proceeds for this year supporting Camp Goodtimes, and the balance earmarked for pediatric cancer research.
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