The 2022 Hawaiian Ride for Youth will be the tenth time I pull on the lycra and ride 700 (hilly) kilometres over five days to raise funds for Youth Focus. I will be participating in the Heritage peloton, one of 4 pelotons created for this event.
Having been involved with this wonderful event since 2009 when just 36 riders completed the ride, it astounds me that over 230 riders will participate in the 20th anniversary of this three-time national winner of the Charity Event of the Year.
Over the years we have seen the awareness of mental health issues go from an almost taboo subject to being in the forefront of our society on a daily basis. I like to think that in a small way the Hawaiian Ride for Youth has assisted this through our engagement with students within the numerous schools visited during the ride week and our riders becoming ambassadors in the support of mental health in their wider communities. The Hawaiian Ride for Youth has to date raised over $26 million for the not for profit organisation Youth Focus, who support the youth of WA in dealing with mental illness through providing free counselling, outreach programs and many other valuable services.
My mantra is "statistics don't tell you the story". Our lives are punctuated so much by statistics at present. Last year 58 young lives were lost to suicide in Western Australia and behind each and every number in that statistic is a very human story that will reverberate through generations. If I can help any way behind the scenes prevent another family experience this story then I pedal I will.
I welcome your donation to my fundraising efforts for this year’s Ride and thank you kindly for your support.
Much thanks also goes to my wonderful family and friends for their ongoing support of my commitment to the ride.