The local chapter of the Blue Knights motorcycle club will be hosting a Ride for Donovan fundraiser in conjunction with the Greater Picayune Area Chamber of Commerce’s Running of the Pigs event on Oct. 29.
Blue Knights MS IX is the local chapter of the international law enforcement motorcycle club. The local club holds various fundraisers throughout the year for groups like the March of Dimes or fellow officers suffering from medical conditions, David Ervin, president of the local chapter, said.
The profits raised during next Saturday’s ride will go toward the family of Donovan Trudell, who is currently being treated for liver cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.
Trudell’s mother and stepfather both have law enforcement backgrounds in the community, according to previous coverage.
“We felt like it would be a good thing to do to help out a brother law enforcement officer and his family,” Ervin said.
Registration for the event will begin at 8 a.m. that day at Crosby Commons in Picayune. The cost is $20 per motorcycle or Jeep, and $10 per passenger.
The law enforcement escorted ride will begin at 10 a.m. and last about two hours, with a break halfway through, before returning to Crosby Commons for the Running of the Pigs barbeque, Ervin said.
The Blue Knights have over 20,000 members worldwide, with 8 chapters in Mississippi and 16 members in the local chapter, Ervin said.
“We are hoping that we can just do something to help,” he said.
The profits from the event will go directly to Trudell’s family, Ervin said.
The group will also set up a tent during the barbeque to collect donations.
After the ride, participating motorcyclists and Jeep owners can display their vehicle outside the commons, Ervin said.
“I just hope that everyone will come out and support it,” he said.