A retired veteran is trying to make a difference in children’s lives and needs the support of everyday Canadians across this country to do it.

Art Brochu, 70, made his way through Davidson last Wednesday afternoon while on his “Art Cycles Canada for Wishes” bike tour from Port Hardy, British Columbia, to St. John’s, Newfoundland. Brochu is cycling across the country in an attempt to try and raise $100,000 for The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

“All those years in the military and all those years out of country watching kids suffer and be abused…breaks my heart,” said Brochu, who spent his career with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. “I always wanted to do something to pay back for what we couldn’t do back then. This is my opportunity to raise money for The Children’s Wish and hopefully if we can get a wish in every province that would be fantastic.”

Brochu first got the idea to try and raise funds for Children’s Wish while competing at a golf tournament where he met a young adult named Alex who was diagnosed with Osteochondroma, which is a benign tumor of the bones. Alex, who is an avid bag pipe player, had a wish granted to visit Vimy Ridge in France to play the bag pipes in tribute to his great-grandfather and the other countless men and women who lost their lives in the First World War battle.

“Alex still has a lot of operations to go through, but he’s tough and cheerful and he’s so thankful he got to do what he did,” said Brochu. “I’ve always been a strong believer that if you can think positive or take your mind off the illness and the treatment and the medications they have an opportunity to work better and that’s what the wish does.”

To prepare for the scheduled 9,106 kilometre trek over the course of 75 days this summer, Brochu began training two years ago with 2004 Canadian Olympic gold medalist Lori-Ann Muenzer. He has also been trying to put into practise the many tips received from fellow cyclists on what to do when participating in a long-distance bike tour.

Brochu said the trip would bring him through 10 Canadian provinces with a goal of raising $10,000 in each to be put towards a wish for a child in each province he visits. He said some money was raised before he left B.C. and he is now counting on the people he meets on his journey and the corporations that hear about his quest to help him reach the target.

To read more please see the June 2 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

The #553 Sherlock Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron welcomed a small group of supporters to Davidson Town Hall last Monday for their annual review.

The family and friends were greeted to a display of finely pressed uniforms and newly shined shoes worn with pride by cadets F/Sgt. Andrew Sperling, F/Sgt. Balin Mazur, F/Sgt. Austin Van Damme, F/Cpl. Danielle Elliott and Sgt. Jake Korchinski as they were inspected by reviewing officer Captain Wayne Morrison.

Morrison, a former commanding officer with the Sherlock Squadron who now occupies that position with #797 Lanigan Squadron, said it is sad to see the small number of young people taking advantage of the cadet program in Davidson and area. He said watching the numbers improve with the Lanigan Squadron since he became their commanding officer in 2012 gives him hope the same would occur in Davidson.

“As a bus driver sitting in front of Davidson School, I’ve noticed a lot of kids coming up,” said Morrison, noting attracting these younger people to join as first year cadets is needed to help Sherlock Squadron remain in the area. “This means the future is bright for a lot of clubs in Davidson.”

Gord McRae, president of the Davidson branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, said the amount of kids in the program may be low, but believes the lessons learned through participating in cadets is beneficial to its members and hopes more young people join Sherlock Squadron this September.

“I want to congratulate these cadets on completing another great year,” said McRae to the five young people standing in attention before him. “In the fall we’ll give it one hell of a good go (to raise numbers).”

Captain Krystal Klenk, current commanding officer of #553 Sherlock Squadron, said the five cadets who participated in the program this year and their families all devoted their time and ability to make the squadron a positive and enjoyable experience. She said the cadets took part in many memorable activities this year including power familiarization flying in Saskatoon, zone shooting in Moose Jaw, going on a trip to Jasper, learning about the Second World War-era Mustang P-51 D fighter aircraft and how they are currently being restored at Terry Dieno’s airplane hanger in Davidson, gliding in Moose Jaw and participating in survival weekends at Thompson Lake and Nokomis.

“We may be small, but we are filled with the most dedicated cadets,” said Klenk. “Remember the lessons you have learned and the experiences you’ve had. Let these experiences guide you in the future.”

To read more please see the June 2 print edition of The Davidson Leader.