Jimmy Pelk is losing his locks for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock—provided he can raise $15,000 by the time the tour rolls through Port Alberni, on Sept. 30.
A fellow employee suggested Pelk, the sales manager at Alberni Toyota, shave his head to raise funds and he initially said no. Then he challenged her: “I turned to her and said, ‘if you raise $15,000, I will’,” Pelk said.
So Melissa Bigmore, the local Tour de Rock co-ordinator and Pelk’s colleague, is hoping the community will come forward.
Pelk’s mother, Noreen, was the first person to donate, Bigmore said. His wife is also on board, Pelk said.
Port Alberni RCMP Const. Tom Gill is riding in this year’s tour, which begins on the North Island on Saturday, Sept. 24. The 22-member Tour de Rock team will ride 1,000 kilometres, from Port Hardy to Victoria, to raise funds and awareness for pediatric cancer research.
Alberni Toyota is already contributing to Gill’s ride, as is Alberni Chrysler; $40 from the sale of every vehicle sold in August and September will be donated to the Tour de Rock. Other car dealerships in the Alberni Valley are offering similar donation opportunities.
The tour stops in Port Alberni on Friday, Sept. 30, approximately 11:30 a.m. at Walmart. Riders will head to Alberni Toyota for lunch, then Shape Properties, who manage the old Alberni Mall site, will host a community event in the parking lot between 3–4 p.m.
Instead of the traditional red serge spaghetti dinner this year, Boston Pizza is hosting a buffet dinner for the riders and members of the public, 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 30. Tickets are available at the Canadian Cancer Society office on Third Avenue, Alberni Toyota or Boston Pizza.
This Saturday, Sept. 18, Gill, fire Chief Tim Pley and RCMP Cpl. Denis Sauvé will shave their moustaches for cash, while Warrenn Sawyer will shave his head. Those festivities take place at Harbour Quay from 1–4 p.m., with shaving to happen around 2:30 p.m.
Anyone wanting to see Jimmy Pelk go bald can drop off their donations to Alberni Toyota.
editor@albernivalleynews.com