How it all began

The Hawaiian Ride for Youth began in 2003 when a small group of social bike riders from the Perth business community decided to combine their resources and raise funds for Youth Focus and assist in the prevention of youth suicide, depression and self-harm.

Knowing that each and every teenage suicide affects hundreds of people; families, friends, neighbours, the riders felt this issue was a concern the whole community needed to address. 

The riders participating were and still are mostly social bike riders from the business community in Perth who ride to keep fit. Generally, they are professional business people, most of them parents, who care about the ever increasing issues in their society.  

The prime objectives of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth are:

• to raise funds for Youth Focus
• to raise awareness of the issues concerning youth suicide, depression and self-harm
• to raise awareness of the services provided by Youth Focus

Although the Ride provides opportunity for personal growth and achievement, particularly for persons who do not come from a cycling background, the main objective of the Ride will always remain a charitable one. 

The Ride

The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is held annually during March/April each year. The Ride is held over 5 days and travels from Albany to Fremantle covering approximately 700km. The cyclists ride through the regional towns of Albany, Denmark, Walpole, Pemberton, Margaret River, Busselton and Bunbury and finish in the City of Fremantle. 

For reasons of safety and logistics a limit of 40 riders (10 teams of 4) has been established, per Ride. The process of selection is determined by individual expressions of interest from past riders in a variety of categories and from new riders who have been introduced to the Ride. Those successful applicants pay an entry fee to confirm their place on the Ride. 

All riders participate in a strenuous six month training program under the guidance of Ride Coach, Peter Trench. The training schedule is designed to test the rider’s strength and endurance and ensure they are fit and ready for an adventure of a life time.

Fundraising

Each rider must raise a minimum of $4000 to participate in the Ride. The riders have the option to work in teams or as individuals to achieve this target. Some fundraising events and initiatives that have been used in the past include; corporate lunches/dinners, quiz nights, corporate race days, music concerts and raffle ticket sales. The Hawaiian Ride for Youth continues to exceed all expectations and each year a new fundraising record is set. The Ride has raised over $2.5 million for Youth Focus since its inception in 2003 (see table below).

Funds raised from the 2009 Hawaiian Ride for Youth will provide the following:

• One Family Counsellor (five days/week) in the metro area (including one day in Rockingham)
• Two Youth Counsellors (five days/week) in the southern suburbs
• One Youth Counsellor (five days/week) in the South West region (including Bunbury, Australind, Capel and Harvey)
• One Youth Counsellor (five days/week) in Albany
• Mentor Program – eight mentors for a 12 month perio

Raising awareness within the community

The awareness raised for Youth Focus from the Hawaiian Ride for Youth is equally as important as the funds raised. The riders not only create awareness about Youth Focus through their individual fundraising campaigns but also participate in wind-training sessions (cycling on a stationary bike) at local shopping centres (including the Herdsman and Hawaiian retail outlets) during the lead up to the Ride.

During the Ride there are scheduled stops at seven schools en route including; North Albany Senior High School, Denmark High School, Walpole Primary School, Pemberton District High School, Margaret River High School, MacKillop Catholic College Busselton, and Grace Christian School Bunbury. The purpose of these regional school visits is to educate the students about the issues of youth suicide, depression and self harm and the services that Youth Focus provides. The riders also share their stories about the Ride and are open to questions from the students. 

Further information:

p: 08 9361 4222 | e: events@yct.asn.au