Canada 911 Ride buys emergency defibrillator for P.E.I. school

Dozens of police officers and paramedics will gather on P.E.I. this weekend for their annual Canada 911 Ride, and they've already determined where some of the money raised will go.

Now in its 10th year, the motorcycle ride raises money for two key causes: post-secondary education bursaries for victims of crime, and for the purchase of public access emergency defibrillators.

Co-founder Jim Adamson, who recently retired from the Toronto Police Service after 36 years, said the organizers of the P.E.I. ride heard about a local school where three students had a high medical risk, but the school couldn't afford the $3,500 defibrillator.

The ride will be stopping by the school this weekend to donate one.

"Hopefully it's never, ever needed," said Adamson, "but if it is, it's there."

Event to feature Victoria Park concert

Adamson helped to launch the ride because while he describes serving as a police officer as a great honour, he felt the need to do more.

'It's good people ... giving back to the community- Jim Adamason

"It was very, very frustrating sometimes. Going in and giving it your best and finding that for whatever reason it just wasn't enough," said Adamson.

This year's ride includes 52 police officers and 18 paramedics.

"It's good people, and it's normal citizens, and emergency personnel giving back to the community," he said.

The event starts Saturday with a scenic ride across the Island.

There will be another ride through the countryside Sunday morning, but the riders will be back in Charlottetown at noon for an exhibition of motorcycle skills at the Charlottetown Mall.

The final event will be a concert featuring Makayla Lynn in Charlottetown's Victoria Park, starting at 3 p.m.

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