Fundraiser for Injured Cop Tonight

Tonight is the fundraiser for East Providence police officer Greg Tainsh, who was injured last April on a police motorcycle accident.

The fundraiser starts at 7 pm at the St. Francis Xavier Church auditorium, 81 North Carpenter St. The event includes a pasta dinner, a raffle and entertainment by the James Montgomery Blues Band.

Tickets are a $20 donation, and all proceeds "will go directly to Officer Tainsh and his family,” said Det. Kevin Feeney, part of the committee of police officers headed by Lt. Raymond Blinn who is organizing the event.

Tainsh was struck by an uninsured motorist while on his motorcycle on April 6.

“Officer Tainsh was on his way to St. Brendan's Church to escort the parishioners on a Stations of the Cross event when he was struck,” said Feeney.

The crash caused significant damage to his right leg and knee, Feeney said. He was confined to a wheelchair for several months.

“He has undergone several surgeries and his road to recovery is going to be quite long,” Feeney said. "He is up and about. But he will need more surgeries."

Tainsh is married with two children under 10, said Feeney.

"He comes from a family of police officers," he said. "His father is a retired Warwick police office; his brother is on the Warwick force."