SURREY - Surrey provincial court has found a way of taking something bad and making it good.
Our story begins with John Gould, a retired Surrey RCMP homicide detective who now runs a power washing business.
Five years ago, Gould was diagnosed with a rare blood cancer and doctors told he had about three years. But thanks to a young man from Germany, who donated some bone marrow to Gould, the former cop is in full remission.
"Life is very short and precious, and I don't take it for granted," Gould said. "I'm paying it forward. This guy from Germany gave me the gift of life."
Part of his paying-forward process is raising money, through his powerwashing business, to help take care of Erin Kreiter, 28, as she fights a debilitating rare illness herself.
Erin, the daughter of Gould's longtime RCMP buddy Sgt. Tim Kreiter, was studying at university to be a cancer researcher when she was stricken with Myastheniagravis, leaving her quadriplegic and requiring 24-hour care.
So, every weekend, Gould and a bunch of police officers volunteer their time to do power washing work - cleaning driveways, sidewalks etc. - with all proceeds being donated to Erin's care.
"It's overwhelming, the response we've gotten from the public," Gould said.
Here's where the court comes in. Not long ago, Gould's shop was broken into and as they say, once a cop, always a cop. Noticing a spot of blood on a doorknob, at the scene of the crime, he alerted the forensic examiners to it, and a DNA sample was taken, leading to the arrest of Christopher Dwaine Frost.
Frost was up for sentencing in Surrey on Tuesday, so Gould asked the court if he could press him into serving on his volunteer power washing crew to help out Erin.
Judge Peder Gulbrandsen agreed, and released Frost on bail until a date in June to participate in the cause.
His defence lawyer, Kelly Johnston, called it "creative." Crown prosecutor Brian Shaw said, "I think it's good. It may be very good for both parties."
Gould said Frost will spend his weekends power washing with off-duty cops, working side-by-side with Gould himself.
Erin, meanwhile, is overwhelmed by Gould's efforts.
"It's amazing, really," she said. "Mr. Gould is an amazing, amazing man. He's been completely selfless."
The money he's been raising is helping the Kreiters to pay for renovations to their home, so Erin can get around in her wheelchair.
"That has been a large cost," she said. Gould has jobs lined up for the next three weekends.
His business, Dominion Power Washing Inc., is supplying the trucks, equipment, chemicals, fuel and manpower with all proceeds going to the Erin Kreiter Trust Fund.
To obtain a quote or book a cleaning appointment to support this cause, call 604-510-9274. Donations can also be made at the Murrayville TD Bank - Transit: 9190 Account 6320987.
tzytaruk@thenownewspaper.com