Fundraiser to Aid Motorcycle Cop

East Providence police officers host a fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 20, for one of their own who was injured in a crash.

East Providence Patrol Officer Greg Tainsh was struck by an uninsured motorist while on his motorcycle on April 6 of this year.

“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 Det. Kevin Feeney, who is part of an eight-member committee headed by Lt. Raymond Blinn that is organizing the event. 

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."

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 renowned James Montgomery Blues Band.

Everything is being donated and "cooked by our own people," Feeney said.

Tickets are a $20 donation, he said. If you can't attend and want to make a donation, call the police station and ask for any officer.

“All proceeds from this event will go directly to Officer Tainsh and his family,” he said.

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."