Steven Arnold lost a lot of hair Friday to raise a big chunk of change for the 2013 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.
The Grade 12 student was one of about 130 students and staff members at Reynolds Secondary — about 15 per cent of the school population — who had their locks lopped.
Arnold, who said his last haircut was about two years ago, raised $1,614.
Reynolds was one of the last stops on the two-week, 1,000-kilometre Tour de Rock, which has grown into one of Vancouver Island’s top fundraising events.
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The long ride ended Friday afternoon in Centennial Square, with news that the annual cycling trek had raised $1.175 million this year — pushing the total raised since it began 15 years ago to more than $19 million.
Funds go to the Canadian Cancer Society for pediatric-cancer research and programs such as Camp Goodtimes for children affected by cancer.
Tour de Rock riders, most of them police officers, ride from northern Vancouver Island to Victoria. This year’s group included 17 members of police agencies, four media members and special guest Kevin Nunn, civilian equipment officer at the Saanich Police Department.
A highlight of the tour each year comes near the finish, when riders make the rounds of local schools and businesses.
Oak Bay High rolled out the welcome mat Thursday with a rousing session in the school gym — and a $56,118 donation, collected through efforts that included a bottle drive, a bingo night and a benefit concert.
The Oak Bay total translates into enough money to send 37 children and youth to Camp Goodtimes.
Reynolds Secondary raised a whopping $75,518 — with more expected to come in. Reynolds vice-principal Dean Norris-Jones said virtually everyone at the school contributed to the success. “One of our mantras … is ‘One cupcake at a time.’ We’ve never received a donation larger than $1,000, so this really happens a toonie, five bucks, 20 bucks at a time.”
Oak Bay’s gathering was especially moving for two tour riders — school alumni reserve Oak Bay Police Const. Aubrey Blackhall and media rider Jillian Van der Geest of KOOL FM.
Grade 12 students Jessica Duncan and Ella Van Neutegem, who led Oak Bay’s 2013 fundraising, credited widespread participation for the results. “It’s been an amazing couple of weeks, all or our hard work has finally paid off,” said Van Neutegem, who said there is a history of cancer on her father’s side of the family.
