By Patrick Burles - @PatrickBurles on Twitter

Law Enforcement Agencies Ride to Support Special Olympic Athletes

Jun 17, 2016 | 12:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE – A group of 22 cyclists from Lethbridge Police Service, Alberta Sheriffs, Lethbridge Correctional Centre, Taber Police Service, Blood Tribe Police and RCMP, set off on the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) 500-km Bike Ride for Special Olympics Friday morning.

They’re riding to Edmonton after having raised $22,100 for Special Olympic athletes this year.

“It allows Special Olympic athletes to participate in sport,” stated Braylon Hyggen with Lethbridge Police. “It benefits them with health, being active and gives them confidence to play an organized sport.”

Hyggen also talked about how he first got involved with the fundraiser, and why it remains important to him.

“It was about seven years ago I was asked to come and participate in a final torch run at a Special Olympic games up in northern Alberta, and I arrived there thinking it’s just a run, and when I got there and just seen the athletes, the joy it brought to their faces, it was just incredible, it kind of hooked me in from there and I’ve been involved ever since.”

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During the ride, motorists on Highways 3, 23 and 21 are reminded to be aware of cyclists and to slow down when passing them.

Since the LETR began in 2004, law enforcement agencies have helped bring in more than $500,000 for Special Olympics.

Donations can still be made online at specialolympics.ab.ca.