LAURINBURG — Hundreds of people from across Scotland and surrounding counties came to Jerry’s Deli and Grill on Saturday in support of Sheriff Ralph Kersey.
The “Kruzin for Kersey” Bike Run benefited the sheriff who was diagnosed with kidney cancer in May and underwent surgery in June. Since then he has been at home recovering, but his administrative assistant Rebecca Riggs wanted to do something to help him during this time.
“I took off my hat for the sheriff’s department and thought just as a citizen what we can we do for him,” Riggs said. “There had been bike runs before and I thought it would be a good community event. It got bigger than we expected and so many people reached out to help.”
Riggs said more than 170 bikes rode to Carthage in honor of Kersey, coming from Moore, Robeson, Richmond, Anson, Cumberland, Hoke and Pitt counties — as well as several from South Carolina including Marlboro County Sheriff Charles Lemon.
“I know there are people from all over who didn’t ride or that I missed, but it was amazing to see everyone come together for him,” Riggs said.
While Kersey did come to the event later in the evening, he had a surprise for those participating in the ride. On the way to Carthage, Kersey, along with his wife Angela, had the blue lights of the cars and a sign that read “thank you” on it while waving to those who participated.
“I think he really enjoyed coming out and seeing the music and fellowship,” Riggs said. “He seemed very grateful and humble to see everyone who came out to support him.”
More than 40 businesses and individuals donated and helped sponsor the event which had music, games, a dunk tank, drawings, and a car show.
Riggs said the event was a great success and was excited to see so many people come out as a community to support the sheriff.
Organizers were still counting the donations that came in Saturday, and did not yet have a total available on Wednesday.
