With a goal to protect victims of child abuse and bullying, the Red Deer Chapter of Guardians of the Children is set to embark on their 1st major fundraising ride this weekend.
 
Guardians of the Children is a biker organization that started in 2006 in San Antonio, Texas, expanded into Canada in 2014 in Winnipeg, and just this spring Alberta's 1st chapters were patched in, one in Edmonton and another in Red Deer.
 
The Red Deer Chapter now boasts over 40 members from throughout central Alberta and President Darryl Hogenson says almost every single member has been affected by abuse or bullying as a child and they refuse to let it happen to the kids we're raising in our community.

“Everybody’s got a passion for helping out kids, some people like to do it from a distance and some people like to do it head on. Bikers usually have the largest hearts, the most giving hearts and always the protective side to them. Now what we do is we sport a crest on the back of our vest and that lets the children and lets the families that need help know right away that we’re one of the good guys, you can come to us, we’re safe, we’re here for you, we’re here for your family”.

In terms of what they do for kids, Hogenson says there are no limits.

“Escorting a child safely to a playground so they can enjoy some play time and know that they are safe while they are there, we’ll go to schools, we’ll do lectures on anti-bullying, the court systems we’re there for the victim, we’re there for the victim’s family, we’re not there to intimidate the perpetrator, we’re there for that victim to show them you’re not alone. There’s virtually nothing that we won’t do for a child and for a family”.

The Empower the Children Ride is leaving from the Quality Inn Red Deer tomorrow (June 10th) at 10:30 am rain or shine on a 350 k run to Wayne, Alberta.

Registration starts at 9 am; you can support the group by taking part, making a donation or supporting their online silent auction, visit the Red Deer Chapter Facebook Page.

Head online for more information on the work of Guardians of the Children Canada.