The Tour de Rock riders conquered the Malahat on Wednesday and continue to inspire as they head towards Victoria.
The team rolled into Belmont Secondary just before noon to take a stop for lunch and were welcomed by students, staff, and Langford officials.
| Victor Chen's family presented the Tour de Rock team with a $10,000 donation. (Jessica Fedigan/News Gazette Staff) |
Michelle Mahovlich, Langford’s director of engineering, helped present a $10,000 cheque to the riders on behalf of Victor Chen’s family. The former City of Langford employee passed away suddenly in August.
“He built all the infrastructure you see around the high school here, the West Shore Parkway and was kind of responsible for the roads that lead to your school,” Mahovlich said.
At Chen’s memorial service, Golf for Kids stepped up and donated $10,000 in his name to a charity of choice and his family chose the Tour de Rock.
West Shore RCMP Const. Cole Brewer, who is one of the tour’s riders, said he hopes one day there will be a cure for cancer and there won’t be a need for rides. But, he added, the ride has been something he won’t forget.
“It’s been amazing. It’s been the experience of a lifetime. I can’t even describe it,” Brewer said.
“The physical part of the journey has been tricky at times but it’s nothing compared to the emotional part. We get connected with kids who are battling cancer, learn their personal stories and get connected with them and their families. As we go through these communities, we learn everybody’s story and everyone’s battle and struggle and it makes us understand just how important this is, what we’re doing and we’re not here for them, we’re here because of them.”
The ride finishes downtown on Friday.