I lucky to be the father of four healthy and happy kids, but not all young people are so fortunate. I have friends whose kids have experienced mental health issues, and I want to do something to help them.
That’s why I have decided to join the Hawaiian Ride for Youth for the first time in March 2024 when I’ll be riding 700 kilometres from Albany to Perth over 4.5 days. The aim is to raise funds and awareness for Youth Focus, a charity that provides free and professional counselling services to young Western Australians who are struggling with mental health problems. Suicide is the leading cause of death among 15-24 year olds in Australia, and the demand for mental health services is growing every year.
To participate in the Hawaiian Ride for Youth, I have committed to train hard for six months, waking up at 4:45am three to four times a week to ride thousands of kilometres and spend hundreds of hours in the saddle. I have a fundraising target of (at least) $5,000, which I hope to achieve with your generous donations. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference. $50 can help deliver free counselling services to a young person, $150 can fund a one-on-one session with a qualified counsellor, and $250 can support a full day peer support program. All donations are fully tax deductible and go directly to Youth Focus.
Being part of this noble fundraising event will help to provide critical resources, support and coping strategies for our youth to prevent the dark spiral of mental health, and to reduce the stigma surrounding it.
I sincerely appreciate your support and donation towards this incredible cause.
