West Newbury Police Officer Completes Race Across America to Support Domestic Violence Awareness

For Immediate Release

Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Contact: Jessica Sacco
Phone: 978-769-5193
Email: jessica@jgpr.net

West Newbury Police Officer Completes Race Across America to Support Domestic Violence Awareness

WEST NEWBURY – Chief Lisa A. Holmes is happy to report that West Newbury Police Officer Brian Warne finished a 3,000-mile bicycle race to raise money and support for domestic violence awareness.

Race Across America (RAAM) began on June 14. Officer Warne cycled from Oceanside, Calif. to Annapolis, Md. in five days. RAAM, now in its 34th year, raises millions of dollars annually for a wide variety of charitable causes.

Officer Warne’s team, “Riverside,” consisted of eight cyclists, all from the North Shore who collected around $40,000 for the Jeanne Geiger Crisis Center, which helps victims of domestic violence. They were the first eight-person group to cross the finish line with not one injury.

Pat Kelly of West Newbury served as the team organizer/chief fundraiser and one of the eight racers.

“I commend Officer Warne and team Riverside for their dedication, hard work and generosity,” Chief Holmes said. “This is a true testament to these riders’ commitment to a making positive change in the lives of domestic violence victims.”

The route took cyclists through the desert, with temperatures reaching 115 degrees,
up the Rocky Mountains with altitudes of over 10,000 feet, across the windy Kansas plains, into the Appalachian Mountains and through Gettysburg on the way to Annapolis.

“This was a challenging race that tested our limits at every mile. We endured rain, were chased by wild dogs, weaved through traffic and snakes in the road, battled the wind and fought sleep deprivation,” Officer Warne said. “We all slept less than 12 hours in five days of racing, but knowing we were riding for a cause made it all worth it.”

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