Members of the 100 Mile RCMP and Ambulance Service were arrested on Friday, Aug. 24, and held in a makeshift jail cell in front of the Save-On-Foods until they could raise enough money to make bail.
This, of course, was all in the name of charity.
The Jail and Bail was organized by Jamie MacPherson, a part-time paramedic in 100 Mile House, who will be participating in the Cops for Cancer’s Tour De Coast, an 800 km bike ride up the north side of the Fraser River.
“Of the money raised, half goes to cancer research, awareness, prevention and the other goes to Camp Good Times,” said MacPherson.
The camp, located in Maple Ridge, is a no-charge getaway for kids with cancer and their families, fully staffed and equipped to support their medical needs.
“It’s really a support network for the entire family, because when a kid is diagnosed, it’s the entire family that’s affected by cancer,” she said.
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MacPherson has participated in the ride for the past two years. She was the second highest fundraiser in 2016, raising $18,000.
She said she had to cancel her fundraisers last year because of the wildfires. “Nobody had extra money to give, the town was evacuated, businesses took a huge hit.”
Even though she was only able to raise $3,000, half of what is required to ride, she said they let her do it anyway.
“It means a lot to me.”
This year, she is participating in a support role, driving along the route to make sure the riders are well looked after.
Although this role only requires a minimum $500 donation, MacPherson said her goal was to raise $3,500 to thank them for allowing her to ride last year.
From just 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Friday, the event raised $5,924.09.
“I’m just really lucky that everyone supports me as much as they do,” she said in reaction to the incredible result, “from people going to jail to the people that don’t know me that donate, yeah, it’s really cool to see.”
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Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett, who donated $1,000, herself, was the event’s judge. She got to decide how much each person had to raise in order to get out of jail.
“I think it’ s great, a great way to raise funds and the paramedics are just awesome to come here and participate and they’re having a lot of fun believe you me. It feels a lot better to be the judge,” she laughed. “I’m usually in there, so this is a lot of fun.”
James Towle, the district manager for the Cariboo-Chilcotin area Ambulance Service, was the highest fundraiser at the event, raising around $1,300.
“Well it’s not too bad at all,” he said from behind bars. “I’d much rather be doing this than my district manager work.”
Lucien Girard, one of the paramedic practice educators, said it was a “tremendous cause” and that he was having “an absolute blast” begging for donations from behind bars. He added that he would definitely do it again.
Brad Polkinghorne, Save-On-Food’s produce manager, also got in on the fun. He said his coworkers nominated him to be arrested and that he was “glad to be a part of it.”
Around 40 police officers and paramedics will be riding in the Tour De Coast from Sept. 19 to 27, according to MacPherson.
“I love it. It’s like family and it’s honestly one of the best things I’ve ever done.”
beth.audet@100milefreepress.net
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