The OPP will hand out its annual awards at a ceremony today. Among the heroes receiving commendations from Commissioner Fantino will be the members of The Pedal for Hope team.
John Townsend (Townzy) and his band of brothers and sisters, both frontline and behind-the-scenes, will be honored today. it's well deserved. I've gotten to know much of the team over the past 5 years. There's Habber (Marc Habgood - I can't keep up with his ever-changing rise in the ranks so let's just call him Chief-in-waiting), Caldzy (Const. Keith Calderwood), Farqi (Insp. Tim Farquharson) and the many others who give up their holiday time to ride for 3 weeks to raise money for pediatric cancer research.
Yes, they use holiday time. And yes, they ride every single km from school to school to school. I mention these points because they are the questions I hear more than any others.
Despite the fact the team never graced me with a nickname (Melly is too close to Smelly, so that's fine with me), I think these men and ladies are local heroes. I know that sounds corny and perhaps trite, but it's true. I have seen them in private moments meeting with the kids who are currently battling cancer and on whose behalf they ride. It's obvious to me the Pedal for Hope members do the ride for the right reasons.
Congratulations to one and all.
Now, can I please get a Get Out of Jail Card from Chief Rodd? McLaren's has expired.
Melniker