‘Magic happens’ during Ride for Youth

The annual 700km Albany to Perth ride covers 700km over five days in support of Youth Focus: a not-for-profit organisation working to stop youth suicide by providing a range of free mental health support services to young West Australians and their families.

Mr Flanagan is completing the ride for the third time, Jeremiah Peiffer, a senior lecturer in the School of Psychology and Exercise Science for the second time, and Brad Wall, a sports science lecturer, is completing his first ride.

All three have followed a gruelling training regime, putting in hundreds of kilometres on their bikes each week for the past six months, in addition to committing to raising a minimum of $5000 each.

Mr Flanagan said Youth Focus helped young people deal with depression, and that saved lives.

‘They do it by giving them the tools they need to get through tough times and by making sure they know there are people out there who are there to help,’ he said.

This ride is the biggest source of funding for Youth Focus.

‘I love being part of a group of people that want to help. It’s a huge buzz and one of the most personally rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,’ Mr Flanagan said.

‘There’s just something magic that happens to a group of people when you all come together to do something good. I just love it and I want to share that experience as well.’