The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is held annually in March across 4.5 days with riders covering over 700kms on their way from Albany to Perth to raise funds and awareness for Youth Focus. While cycling through towns in WA’s South West, Great Southern and Wheatbelt the riders visit high schools to engage with students on issues of youth suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm.
The purpose of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth is:
Although the Ride provides opportunity for personal growth and achievement, particularly for participants who do not come from a cycling background, the main objective of the Ride will always remain a charitable one.
25 March 2019
30 March 2019
131kms
26 March 2019
131kms
27 March 2019
152kms
28 March 2019
29 March 2019
157kms
26 March 2019
123kms
27 March 2019
102kms
28 March 2019
140kms
26 March 2019
134kms
27 March 2019
110kms
28 March 2019
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth began in 2003 when a small group of recreational cyclists decided to combine their resources and raise funds for Youth Focus to assist in the prevention of youth suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm.
Knowing that each and every teenage suicide affects hundreds of people; families, friends and neighbours, the riders felt this issue was a concern the whole community needed to address.
Incredibly, from humble beginnings in 2003 the event has raised more than $24,000,000 to support Youth Focus in assisting young Western Australians in need.
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is Youth Focus’ largest fundraising event. Since its inception in 2003 the Ride has raised over $19 million for Youth Focus (see table below). In 2009 the Ride won the Special Events’ category of the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s (FIA) National Awards for Excellence in Fundraising and in 2012 and 2015 the Ride won the Best Charity Event at the Australian Event Awards.
| Year | Number of Riders | Fundraising Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 24 | $150,000 |
| 2004 | 29 | $309,000 |
| 2005 | 38 | $350,000 |
| 2006 | 40 | $515,000 |
| 2007 | 40 | $560,000 |
| 2008 | 40 | $665,000 |
| 2009 | 36 | $458,000 |
| 2010 | 44 | $748,000 |
| 2011 | 50 | $941,000 |
| 2012 | 93 | $2,016,708 |
| 2013 | 79 | $1,631,889 |
| 2014 | 109 | $1,947,780 |
| 2015 | 138 | $2,427,698 |
| 2016 | 142 | $2,356,127 |
| 2017 | 173 | $2,526,986 |
| 2018 | 169 | $2,353,559 |
| 2019 | 171 | $2,262,926 |
| 2020 | 161 | $1,919,244 |
| TOTAL FUNDRAISING | $24,160,759 |
The awareness raised for Youth Focus as a result of 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.