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Poker run to raise funds for Cops for Cancer

One-day event on Sept. 8 at Glen Lake Inn is a charity fundraiser
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RCMP Cst. Steve Marttindale is riding in the Tour de Rock.

So what is a poker run?

According to Smokin’ Joe Liberatore it involves a large group of riders who pick up a poker hand of five cards along various stops on a route from Langford to Jordan River. The idea is to get the best poker hand, thus winning a prize. Prizes wil be awarded to the best and worst poker hand.

Smokin’ Joe said the poker run is open to anyone (obviously over 19) on a motorcyle, bike or in a vehicle.

Last year the prizes were a cooler full of beverages and a portable barbecue.

In the last 13 years, Smokin’ Joe said they have raised over $100,000 for Cops for Cancer.

“The reason it started was because of Scott Osselton,” said Liberatore.

Scott Osselton is a Sooke resident who was, at the time, battling cancer.

Liberatore has been racing demo cars for Western Speedway for 23 years and has always raised money for charities, beginning with Timmy’s Telethon 23 years ago, and now his efforts go to Cops for Cancer, Tour de Rock.

The poker run, on Saturday, Sept. 8, starts at noon and goes to 5 p.m. when the riders’ cards must be turned in at the Glen Lake Inn (2668 Sooke Road). This will be followed by a live auction, prizes, head shaving and a barbecue. A comedy show will have patrons and riders laughing until the wee hours.

Tickets for the poker run are available at the Glen Lake Inn. Liberatore hopes to raise $10,000 this year for cancer research.

On Sept. 15 the drivers and fans of Western Speedway will toss toys, shave their heads and present a cheque to Cops for Cancer. All proceeds donated to the 2012 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.

For more information, contact Smokin’ Joe at 250-881-6369.

Other Cops for Cancer events in the Sooke area include an ongoing fundraiser for Sooke RCMP Cst. Steve Martindale, to donate go to: www.copsforcancerbc.ca/tourderock/stevenmartindale