Perth County OPP launched its 2024 Law Enforcement Torch Run this morning (August 22) from Food Basics in Listowel.
The annual event raises money and awareness for the Special Olympics and the athletes who participate in them. Barry Cookson of Perth County OPP says the event remains a very special and important one on the OPP calendar.
"It's a way for the OPP to give back to our community. The Special Olympic athletes do a lot of travelling and there is a lot of training involved. So the funding that we raise today and in other events across the province goes to making sure that they have the funding available for travel as well as their training," Cookson explained. "A lot of the Special Olympic athletes go on to compete for Canada across the province and across the country, but also across the world. They've been incredibly successful, bringing back many gold medals in swimming, golf baseball, they're successful in anything they do."
Cookson adds that the event and fundraiser holds a personal importance to him and his family.
"I personally have a brother with Down's Syndrome, so it's a personal connection for me. But also, members of the Perth County OPP, every Monday night we go to Stratford and play baseball against a Special Olympics team, which gives them some practice for when they go to play in other events across the province," Cookson shared proudly.
Last year Perth County OPP raised over $1,700 during the torch run that went directly toward supporting special olympians. Today's OPP torch run is also making stops in Mitchell and ends in Sebringville at the Perth County OPP Detachment at 380 Huron Road, for a celebratory BBQ.
