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Riding in honour of the victims

Hundreds of bikers are expected to participate in a memorial bike ride along North Shore Road on Sunday in honour of the four victims of Hurricane Fabian.

The Bermuda Police Service has organised several memorial events to raise money for the September 5 Foundation, which aims to educate ZenPaul Pacheco and Stephen Symons Jr., the children of Manuel Pacheco and P.c. Stephen Symons.

On September 5 last year, P.c. Symons, P.c. Nicole O?Connor, and Civilian Duty Officer Gladys Saunders were killed when their vehicles were swept off the Causeway in Fabian?s high winds.

Mr. Pacheco, 23, a construction worker with the Corporation of Hamilton, also disappeared that day after his car stalled on the bridge.

A granite bench with a memorial dedicated to the four victims will be installed at Stone Crushers corner at Ferry Reach on Sunday afternoon.

Members of the public on motorbike or pedal bike are welcome to join in the memorial bike ride starting at City Hall at 2 p.m.

The riders will travel along North Shore to Stonecrusher?s corner where they will stop to dedicate the memorial, lay wreaths and pause for a moment of silence.

Insp. Craig Morfitt told this week the Police have raised more than $90,000 to date for the foundation. ?This is a great opportunity for people to show their support to the families and to let them know that we haven?t forgotten them,? said Insp. Morfitt.

?In the next three years we aim to raise over $300,000 for the children of the families and later to use the interest from that investment to fund scholarships,? said Insp. Morfitt.

In a Police statement released yesterday the Bermuda Police Service said: ?Bermuda and the Bermuda Police family suffered an unprecedented loss as four of our own lost their lives in the hurricane.

Police constable Stephen ?Chicken? Symons, Police constable Nicole O?Connor, Station Duty Officer Gladys Saunders and Manuel Pacheco were taken from our lives prematurely and we all still struggle to deal with their loss.

Our prayers and support continue to go out to the families.

?Just as Hurricane Fabian could not break the spirit of the Island, the Bermuda Police Service is committed to the legacy of our colleagues who served this country with distinction.?

A fun weekend event organised by the Bermuda Police also includes a sumo- wrestling match at the Police Recreation Club at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 with proceeds going to the September 5 Foundation.

Parking is available on the Police premises.