Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock riders will receive a warm welcome in Nanaimo during this year’s edition of the tour.

Organizers of that welcome hope that support turns into donations.

Historically, Nanaimo has been off the back compared to other communities when it comes to per-capita support for the efforts of the 24 police officers that take part in the 15-day, 1,000-kilometre ride.

That is partly because the tour usually passes through Nanaimo on the weekend, reducing participation by schools which provide other communities with a significant donation contribution.

“Last year Nanaimo raised about $110,000,” said Sara Mazzei, fundraising coordinator for the mid-Island. “But we have an opportunity to do so much better, especially compared to other local communities.”

Overall, the 2008 tour raised $1.8 million for pediatric cancer research and the Canadian Cancer Society’s Camp Goodtimes.

This year, the Tour de Rock will pass through Nanaimo Sept. 27-28, a Sunday and a Monday, though the Monday is a professional development day at local schools.

“We want to encourage kids to come out and support these riders instead of going to the mall on their day off,” said Bruce Williams, manager of community relations for A British Columbia. “If we can get the school kids involved, we’ll be able to boost Nanaimo’s numbers.”

Along with partners that include the City of Nanaimo, Coast Capital Savings, Canadian Cancer Society, the Nanaimo school district and the Nanaimo News Bulletin, Williams is organizing a rally to give the riders a hero’s welcome.

“The mayor will be declaring Sept. 28 Tour de Rock day,” said Williams. “And we’ll have Commercial Street in front of the Vancouver Island Conference Centre blocked off for a rally.”

So far, riders have raised just over $118,000 in individual fundraising for Vancouver Island, with a goal of $300,000 by the tour’s end.

reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com