Charity bike ride raises $35,000 for abused children

The 13th annual Tour de OC, a bike-a-thon that benefits abused and neglected children, raised more than $35,000 this year in Costa Mesa.

The charity ride, held on April 21 at Vanguard University, gathers funds every year to send children to the Royal Family Kids Camp, a one-week summer camp for children who have been removed from abusive situations. The event’s organizers announced the fundraising total last week and awarded prizes to the three riders who raised the most money: Vera Teller of Arcadia, Reid Griffin of Orange County and Tom Cressman of Seal Beach.

More than 135 people rode in the event, which featured courses of 100 miles, 55 miles and 25 miles.

— Michael Miller