FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, April 18, 2018 2:45pm
(Ottawa)–Our anonymous donor is back again this year to help the Ottawa Police Service (OPS) give some lucky children a brand new bicycle.
On Saturday, April 21, at the McNabb Community Arena, 60 children will receive a new bike, some safety gear, and some lessons on how to ride in style.
“Children should grow up knowing that police men (and women) are our heroes; they protect us and provide the services to ensure our communities are safe,” the donor said at the event last year. “No child should ever think twice about approaching a police officer for help or comfort.”
The Bikes for Kids event will include bicycle safety lessons, completed by Safer Roads Ottawa, to go along with their brand new rides. They will also be receiving bike helmets, bells and reflective equipment.
“The generosity of this donor is amazing; it will give these children access to something they wouldn’t have otherwise,” said event organizer and Ottawa Police School Resource Officer, A/Staff Sergeant Adam Coakley. “We have reached out to our partners in both the school and general community to identify kids who have worked hard to overcome various different challenges in their lives.”
“I am hoping that with the gift of a new bike, ‘hero’ will be how they describe the officers in their neighbourhood,” said the donor. “Every kid should have a bike and what a great way to give it to them.”
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Attached is a picture from the 2017 event: Constable Krista Mallon helped to give out brand new bicycles to area children at last year’s Bikes For Kids event on April 29, 2017.
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