THANKS to the generosity of the community, RCMP officers and staff, the 2020 Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive was a great success, say Surrey RCMP who collected new, unwrapped toys and cash donations from November 12 to December 11, bringing in a total of 903 toys and $1,770.

On Tuesday, December 15, Constable Mark Peterse and his team at the Community Response Unit delivered the donations to B.C. Children’s Hospital and Canuck Place Children’s Hospice in memory of six-year-old Keian Blundell.

Restrictions on gatherings limited many of the RCMP’s traditional toy drive fundraising activities, so their officers and employees stepped up their personal fundraising goals this year. Some of them even got a bit competitive – in the Guildford/Fleetwood district office, a table was set up labelled by ‘watch’ to see which group could bring in the most toys. “Our B watch earned this year’s bragging rights, but the real reward is seeing the cheer we deliver collectively to sick kids and their families,” say Surrey RCMP.

“Seeing the pile of toys grow at our offices helped increase our own holiday spirit,” says Constable Mark Peterse. “It’s always so great to see what we can achieve together.”

“The detachment would like to thank the community in helping us make Keian’s wish come true every year,” said Community Services Officer, Superintendent Aaron Paradis. “I am extremely proud of our members and staff who helped organize another successful campaign.”

For more information on Keian’s Holiday Wish Toy Drive, visit the Facebook page set up by the Blundells.