8 Year Old Victoria “Tori” Stafford Missing Since 4/8/09 in Ontario, Canada

[Northern Rose]

Welcome To The Soo
 First of all, there’s a pretty long list of people to thank from Sault Ste. Marie –

Top of the list, Ron and Sarah at Walmart...

Frank @ the Sault Star
Stella @ CTV
Lucas @ the soo news.com       
Rachel @ the Sault Star
Donna Hopper @ the soo today.com     
Kimberly Kerwick, Massage Therapist – Needed that. Many thanks.
Craig @ Q104 FM

Left Bruce Mines this morning for the ‘short’ 60 km ride to the Soo. Last night we saw some bears, deer and blue herons in the Bruce Mines area.

Fundraising all day at the Walmart. Thank you to the people of the Soo for your generosity and hospitality.

The bike needs tires and an oiling, plus the brakes are getting a little tight, so it’s in the shop at the moment, ready Tuesday. We’ll start the trek towards Wawa on Tuesday afternoon. May be sleeping in the van, we’ll see how it goes. Aiming to get to Wawa late on Thursday.

More thanks to Vicki and Terry from Child Find for staying on top of the trip and help in making arrangements. It’s a whole lot easier because of your help.

Keep the encouragement coming. Tough rides coming up now, and I read the notes every night to charge my batteries.

I love and miss you, Daryn.

http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/8/17_Welcome_To_The_Soo.html

[Northern Rose]

Rodney Stafford making headway in ride to Alberta
 
Aug 23, 2009 06:26 PM
THE CANADIAN PRESS
THUNDER BAY– The father of slain Woodstock, Ont., girl Tori Stafford is more than halfway to Thunder Bay on his bike journey to raise funds for Child Find Ontario.

Rodney Stafford is travelling more than 3,000 kilometres to Edmonton, where he plans to release one purple balloon on a mountain his little girl once visited.

Stafford is now averaging about 70 kilometres per day as he nears Thunder Bay.

At this rate, Stafford says he hopes to reach Edmonton by mid September where he will be met by his sister.

Stafford's eight-year-old daughter Victoria disappeared in April after returning home from school.

Two Woodstock residents have been charged with her murder.
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/685454

[Northern Rose]

Heading to Wawa
 We’re on our way, out of Pancake Bay! (Hey, I’m a poet, and I didn’t even know it...!)

Today was the hardest yet, pedaling through the hills up here. There’s some serious climbs, and long. Saw some bears along the way.

Met up with a group of police from Montreal who are also running an event in support of Child Find (Enfant Retour), riding Vancouver to Montreal – impressive. Even more impressive was the way these guys are outfitted. They look like a Tour de France team – matching shirts, a cube van filled with spare parts and bikes, two follow vans and a police escort. And food! They could have fed an army! Awesome.

I’ve got me, Whitney, Peter and a mini-van packed to the roof with stuff. And you know what? We’re doing alright.

Great group. Lots of hugs and best wishes shared. Good highlight for the day. We are into Wawa for the night, and on towards Thunder Bay in the am. Keep me in your thoughts. Tough slogging ahead. We’re going to do this, ‘cause Tori’s watching, and that poor little guy from Grand Forks, BC, and every other kid who deserved to be safe at home with their family.

Love you Daryn.

http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/8/19_Heading_to_Wawa.html

[Northern Rose]

Rain, Cold
 Not much today....cold and rainy as we left Wawa....many stops due to rain and trucks blowing me off the road with their wake.
 
Arrived in White Water and got checked in to the hotel....many thanks to the White River Motel.
 
Pleased to hear that there is progress planned to change the Amber Alert policy. Every minute counts.
 
Off to Marathon tomorrow and maybe farther......love you Daryn

http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/8/20_Rain%2C_Cold.html

[Northern Rose]

Nipigon
Saturday, August 22, 2009

 Left Marathon this am and had to be in Nipigon today so we could meet our obligations in Thunder Bay on Sun/Mon.
 
Very long scenic ride throughout the mountains...crazy hills....started out in the rain and rode for about 5 hours before the weather got the best of me and I was starting to feel ill.
 
We made the decision to do a few miles in the van and firmed up our plans for the rest of the trip throughout Ontario. Too many plans in Thunder Bay, so we couldn’t wait for the weather to break and risk losing a day.
 
I know I always thank people in each town as we progress on our journey.....today is no different.
 
We pulled into Nipigon and ordered some lunch....My wallet dropped put of my pocket....4 hours later it was returned to the KFC..intact and all the money still there...again...Canada ROCKS...thank-you whoever you are......
 
Leaving early for Thunder Bay....looking forward to seeing the hills behind......love you Daryn…Dad
 
http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/8/22_Nipigon.html

[Northern Rose]

Ride reaches Kenora

Rodney Stafford, whose daughter Victoria ‘Tori’ Stafford was abducted and killed in April, is on a 3,400-kilometre ride to Edmonton. The Kilometres For Kids ride to raise money and awareness for Child Find reached Kenora Thursday afternoon just before 5 p.m. Stafford will be meeting the public Saturday at a fundraising barbecue at Walmart from 1-4 p.m.

http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1720795

[Northern Rose]

Slain girl's father cycles through Winnipeg Monday on fundraising tour

WINNIPEG - The father of a murdered eight-year-old girl will be cycling across Canada to raise funds for Child Find in his daughter’s memory.

Rodney Stafford, father of Tori Stafford, will be in Winnipeg on Monday

Tori was abducted in April 2009 in Woodstock, Ontario. Her remains were found July 19 north of Guelph, Ont.

Michael Rafferty, 28, and Terri-Lynne McClintic, 19, are charged with abduction and first-degree murder in connection with her death.

Members of the Winnipeg Police Service "Cops for Kids" bicycle relay team, bicycle patrol unit and traffic officers will ride with Rodney Stafford. They’ll leave Westmount Drive and Patterson Street at 10:30 a.m., then ride to The Forks.

Stafford will leave the city Tuesday with another escort.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Slain-girls-father-cycles-through-Winnipeg-Monday-on-fundraising-tour-55887157.html

[Kat_Gram]

I might go see Rodney on Monday. My daughter thinks I should go. Make my bro take me. Pull the sympathy card. lol She is working, else she would go.
She knows I could cry a whole snot bucket for this, might be good for me as I can't cry about anything else. I'll let you know.

[Kat_Gram]

Ok, I couldn't get out of the house to get that far yet and I didn't want to ask my brother as I am asking him to drive me to some apppointments this week
and I just don't want to use up my " favor credits " with him.
But I just got back from the road out of town ( I live at the almost end of the sidewalk ) and did see Rodney with his police bike and motorcycle escort.
My DD called, she knew what time and the route ??
Gave him the Kat Gram salute. I think my DD wants to make a donation to Child Find and I guess we will do that.
..
I can understand the what and the why of Rodney. It is like he is riding her spirit home. He is getting alot of positive public support / media attention and he is meeting angels along the way. It has to be a healing experience for him also. Speaking with angels always is. Maybe there will be some changes to the Amber Alert laws/ rules here becasue of him

[pink angel]

Ok, I couldn't get out of the house to get that far yet and I didn't want to ask my brother as I am asking him to drive me to some apppointments this week
and I just don't want to use up my " favor credits " with him.
But I just got back from the road out of town ( I live at the almost end of the sidewalk ) and did see Rodney with his police bike and motorcycle escort.
My DD called, she knew what time and the route ??
Gave him the Kat Gram salute. I think my DD wants to make a donation to Child Find and I guess we will do that.
..
I can understand the what and the why of Rodney. It is like he is riding her spirit home. He is getting alot of positive public support / media attention and he is meeting angels along the way. It has to be a healing experience for him also. Speaking with angels always is. Maybe there will be some changes to the Amber Alert laws/ rules here becasue of him

Thanks to you and everyone for all the updates. So cool that you caught a glimpse of him.

I imagine it's cathartic what he is doing.
Daryn has to be so proud of his dad. I am sure Tori is.
He is being watched over by an angel on his ride to meet other angels. It sure is inspiring!

[Northern Rose]

Stafford feels Tori's presence

WINNIPEG -- Rodney Stafford is cycling across four provinces in honour of his slain daughter, but he isn't alone on his bicycle.

His daughter Victoria (Tori) Stafford is in his thoughts every pedal stroke along the emotional 3,400-kilometre journey to Edmonton from Woodstock.

And there have been plenty of serene moments when Stafford felt like she was there beside him or watching from above, he says.

One occurred in North Bay, where Stafford revisited a place he and his kids made memories watching black bears years ago.

"It wasn't even dark out and we looked up and there was one star in the sky above us. It was like I had taken her back to see the bears," said Stafford, who arrived in Winnipeg yesterday.

In a case that has received national attention, Tori Stafford was abducted while walking home from school in Woodstock last April. Her remains were found in a rural area in July. Two people are charged with first-degree murder.

Rodney Stafford is cycling across part of Canada to raise money and awareness for Child Find, and to create a positive outcome from the terrible ordeal.

His Kilometres for Kids ride ends in Edmonton, but he plans to drive to a mountain near Jasper where he'll release a purple balloon for his daughter.

Christy Dzikowicz, director of Child Find Manitoba, said people will pay close attention to Stafford's message, which urges parents to never let their guard down. "Families will sit up and listen a little more closely when they see a guy who is really just a regular dad who never anticipated this happening to his family," she said.

http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/CanadaWorld/2009/09/01/10697796-sun.html

[Northern Rose]

St. Anne
 Had to drive to St.Anne because of 100km/hr speed limit on TransCanada. Authorities felt it too dangerous to ride on.


Permit for the ride through the province got mixed up a little, but getting it fixed.


Spent the night with Sophie & Paul. Met with Sandra and Christy from CF Manitoba. Raised awareness and funds at Vicky’s Drive In.


Special thanks to Lorette and his daughter from Blooms n' Balloons, Sophie & Paul, Randy and Kim (volunteers from Child Find Manitoba) and Vicky’s Drive In.


So far, Manitoba is looking like it’s going to live up to our experience through northern Ontario. Pretty proud to be Canadian about now.


http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/8/31_St._Anne.html

[Northern Rose]

Winnipeg

Monday, August 31, 2009

 Rode into Winnipeg today to Inn at the Forks, accompanied by Winnipeg Police Cyclists, Motorbikes and Cruisers, as well as MP Shelley Glover.


Huge media scrum when I arrived -  haven’t seen that many since Tori first disappeared. Met a load of people at The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, thanks to all of you for doing what you’re doing!


Helps me remember that I am not alone in this whole thing, and there’s a world full of kids that need our protection.


Christy & Sandra – thanks for taking us to Dinner, delicious at Red Lobster. Off to City T.V. first thing tomorrow!


Winnipeg’s great!

http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/8/31_Winnipeg.html

[Northern Rose]

Stafford Continues Journey
 
Rodney Stafford's cycle journey across Canada resumed this morning, as he left Portage's Canad Inns for Brandon.
He's raising awareness about missing kids, in the wake of his daughter Tori's murder earlier this year.

Child Find Manitoba is helping him during his trip in Manitoba, and Director Christy Dzikowitz says having stafford doing this is important for Child Find because they're working constantly to make child safety a priority. She adds his message that we need to look out for each other.

Dzikowitz urges you to follow Stafford's meesage, and watch out for all kids, not just those close to you.

She admits being surprised Stafford is able to ride across the country so soon after his daughter's death, but believes he's turning a nightmare into something good.

http://www.portageonline.com/index.php?option=com_ezine&task=read&page=9&category=21&article=13641&Itemid=86

[Northern Rose]

Leaving Winnipeg
 Had a great day today at Wal-Mart in Winnipeg. Raised a lot of awareness. Thank you to everyone in Winnipeg for your kindness and hospitality. Inn at the Forks "ROCKS"!!! Thank you all. Off to bed, heading to Portage la Prairie in the morning. Really miss all the new friends I have met along my way, night Kayarrah!! Stay Safe Everyone!!!


http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/9/1_Leaving_Winnipeg.html

[Northern Rose]

Portage la Prairie
 Rode to Portage la Prairie. Lots of people pulled us over, honks and waves from everybody.

Child Find is not only pacing us through Manitoba, they also set up hotels, media scrums, and took us for breakfast and dinner.

Our sincere thanks to Christie, Sandra, Kim and Randy. The support is awesome, and is helping make the dream a reality.

http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/9/2_Portage_la_Prairie.html

[Northern Rose]

Brandon
 Had a really great turn out at the Wal-mart in Brandon.

Actually met up with some people that I have known for a while including a girl I went to school with. 

A lot of support from yet another great city. 

Looking forward to carrying-on tomorrow on my way to Whitewood, Saskatchewan. 

Next entry will have me in the great province of Saskatchewan.     

Special thank-you's to Wal-Mart and staff in Brandon for their hospitality today as well as a great staff at Lakeview Inn and Suites, also here in Brandon. 

The support is amazing and the word is spreading!!  Thank you all!!

http://www.eye-zon.com/EyezonBlack20090213/Kilometres_For_Kids/Entries/2009/9/4_Entry_1.html

[Sister]

NorthernRose, thanks for all these updates.  Very inspiratonal.

[Northern Rose]

Children to return to school wondering about friend Tori

When classes ended in June for the kids at Oliver Stephens public school in Woodstock, they knew their eight-year-old classmate Victori (Tori) Stafford had been kidnapped and two people were charged with her murder.

For several weeks, psychologist Sally Christensen and her trauma response team with Thames Valley District school board had been by their sides, helping them deal with that news.

But the children ended the school year with one part of the mystery still unanswered: Where was Tori?

On Tuesday, those children will arrive at school with the terrible answer to that question.

Christensen, though, is going to give them some space.

She and her team are staying away the first day of school.

"I want children to know this is a new year. The last thing they need to see when they walk in is me standing there. They don't need a reminder about troubles they faced last year," she said.

"If I am standing in the doorway, the first thing in their minds will be what has happened."

Christensen and her team spent weeks at Oliver Stephens school beginning in April after Tori was abducted on her way home close to school grounds.

As a horde of police officers and media descended on their city, the children were exposed daily to news of the search for the girl and the investigation into the abduction.

The grim news didn't end with the school year.

In the midst of summer vacation, July 19, police discovered the remains of the little girl.

That discovery and the simple fact that summer is a wonderful time for children may help them to deal with the troubles of the spring, Christensen said.

"I think the kids needed summer to start putting last year behind them," Christensen said.

She and her team will be in the school and available to pupils and teachers during the week, after that first day.

"We will be there to see how people are feeling. We will be keeping a low profile."

As children get back into a routine this fall, the OPP is expected to announce changes to the provincewide Ambert Alert system after a review prompted in part by Tori's abduction.

Police came under fire for not initiating an Amber Alert after she disappeared.

Charged with first-degree murder and abduction in Tori's disappearance are Michael Thomas Rafferty, 28, and Terri-Lynne McClintic, 18, of Woodstock.

Each has had several court appearances via video from jail. McClintic is next scheduled to appear in court Oct. 1, while Rafferty is back in court Sept. 25

http://www.orilliapacket.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1731375

[Northern Rose]

NorthernRose, thanks for all these updates.  Very inspiratonal.

You are welcome.  I think it is very inspirational as well what Rodney is doing and how he is coping.