Nearly one thousand police officers are gathering in Calgary starting on Wednesday to raise funds for the Special Olympics.
The 30th annual Law Enforcement Torch Run is being held in Canada for the first time and officers from around the world are hoping to raise upwards of $35M for Special Olympics.
The money raised will go towards equipment, transportation, and coaches.
Leonka Kaluha, with the Special Olympics says the event helps cut down costs. "It helps when we go to tournaments and for our supplies when we go to do sports."
Some veterans of the force still feel the need to come and help, like Patrick Chan, who retired from the Hong Kong police after serving 35 years.
"Police officers have a very special job," Chan says. "Yet they devote their time, their resources to such a meaningful cause. I'm really honoured every time I come here."
The organizing committee for the event is made up of police officers who've been working on setting everything up for two years.
Theresa Garagan says it's the first time the event has been held outside of the U.S. "It's going to be the 30th anniversary, we've got 950 officers coming from all over the world. It was a pretty easy sell, and our Chief was extremely supportive right from the get go."
Money raised at the event will go to help Calgary and Alberta athletes.
The event is expected to continue until Sunday.
