Pedal for Hope touring schools in the Kawarthas in May

Pediatric cancer fundraiser wraps up on May 13 at first annual Courtney Druce Memorial Golf Tournament

By kawarthaNOW -
Published
The Pedal for Hope cycling team, pictured here in 2013, has raised $4.8 million for pediatric cancer research since 2005. (Photo: Pedal for Hope / Facebook)
The Pedal for Hope cycling team, pictured here in 2013, has raised $4.8 million for pediatric cancer research since 2005. (Photo: Pedal for Hope / Facebook)

This year’s Pedal for Hope tour arrives in Peterborough on Monday, May 1st.

Every spring since 2005, Peterborough Police Service Detective Constable John Townsend and a team of officers from the Peterborough Police Service, the Durham Regional Police Service, the OPP and the RCMP — along with former NHLer John Druce — trade their uniforms for exercise gear and a bike.

Over a three-week period, they pedal 1,000 kilometres to 50 schools in the Kawarthas, telling kids about other kids who are just like them but who are living with cancer. Since 2005, the team has raised $4.8 million for pediatric cancer research.

All members of the team volunteer their time to be a part of the tour, and each member of the team dedicates their ride to a child battling cancer, with some riding for a child in memoriam.

Between May 1 and 13, Pedal for Hope will be cycling to schools in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. (Photo: Pedal for Hope / Facebook)
Between May 1 and 13, Pedal for Hope will be cycling to schools in Peterborough and the Kawarthas. (Photo: Pedal for Hope / Facebook)

Along with John Townsend and John Druce, this year’s team includes Marc Habgood, Keith Calderwood, Jay Clarke, Grant Eastwood, Mark Elliott, Kirk Kelly, Lindsey Leonard, Dave McNab, Gary Pilling, Jaymie Rye, and Alex Whitefield.

Since April 24, the Pedal for Hope team has visited schools in Bowmanville, Kirby, Oshawa, Courtice, Whitby, and Blackstock. On Monday, May 1st, the team will arrive in Peterborough and, over the following two weeks, will visit schools in Peterborough, Bridgenorth, Cobocock, Linday, Cameron, Fenelon Falls, Bobcaygeon, Lakefield, Warsaw, Hastings, Norwood, Havelock, Campbellford, Castleton, Gores Landing, Port Hope, Millbrook, and Cavan. (See the full schedule of schools and times below).

The 2017 Pedal for Hope tour wraps up with a final ride on Saturday, May 13th at the Peterborough Golf and Country Club, where the First Annual Courtney Druce Memorial Golf Tournament will be held.

Pedal for Hope wraps up on May 13 at the First Annual Courtney Druce Memorial Golf Tournament, dedicated to the memory of team member John Druce's daughter Courtney, who lost her final battle with cancer in April 2016. (Photo: Druce family)
Pedal for Hope wraps up on May 13 at the First Annual Courtney Druce Memorial Golf Tournament, dedicated to the memory of team member John Druce’s daughter Courtney, who lost her final battle with cancer in April 2016. (Photo: Druce family)

This charity tournament is named in honour of Courtney Druce, daughter of Pedal For Hope team member and NHL Alumni John Druce. After first being diagnosed with cancer at the age of 15, Courtney battled cancer five different times. She was an ambassador for Pedal For Hope and had a passion for planning events and spending time with the kids living with cancer, even when undergoing treatment herself. She lost her final battle with cancer in April 2016.

For details on the Courtney Druce Memorial Golf Tournament, visit pedalforhope.ca.

Pedal for Hope Events

Monday, May 1

  • Westmount Public School, Peterborough – 9:10 a.m.
  • Kawartha Heights Public School, Peterborough – 11:15 a.m.
  • Monsignor O’Donaghue Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough – 2 p.m.

Tuesday, May 2

  • St. Catherine Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough – 9 a.m.
  • St. Teresa Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough – 11:15 a.m.
  • Edmison Heights Public School, Peterborough – 1:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 3

  • R.F. Downey Public School, Peterborough – 9 a.m.
  • St. Anne Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough – 11:15 a.m.
  • Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough – 1:30 p.m.

Thursday, May 4

  • St. John Catholic Elementary School, Peterborough – 9 a.m.
  • Chemong Public School, Bridgenorth – 11:30 a.m.
  • Ridgewood Public School, Coboconk – 2 p.m.

Friday, May 5

  • Leslie Frost Public School, Lindsay – 9 a.m.
  • Fenelon Township Public School, Cameron – 11:30 a.m.
  • Langton Public School, Fenelon Falls – 1:30 p.m.

Monday, May 8

  • Bobcaygeon Public School, Bobcaygeon – 9:30 a.m.
  • Buckhorn Public School, Lakefield – 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday, May 9

  • Ridpath Junior Public School, Lakefield – 9 a.m.
  • Warsaw Public School, Warsaw – 11:30 a.m.
  • Hastings Public School, Hastings – 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday, May 10

  • Norwood District Public School, Norwood – 9 a.m.
  • Havelock – Belmont Public School, Havelock – 11:15 a.m.
  • Hillcrest P.S, Kent P.S, St. Mary’s at Campbellford District High School, Campbellford – 1 p.m.

Thursday, May 11

  • Northumberland Hills Public School, Castleton – 9:30 a.m.
  • Plainville Public School, Gores Landing – 1 p.m.

Friday, May 12

  • Ganaraska Trail Public School, Port Hope – 9 a.m.
  • Millbrook/South Cavan Public School, Millbrook – 11:30 a.m.
  • North Cavan Public School, Cavan – 2 p.m.

Saturday, May 13

  • Final Ride at Peterborough Golf & Country Club – 12 p.m.
  • Courtney Druce Memorial Golf Tournament – 1:30 p.m.

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