THE 2019 Ride for Youth has raised $2,164,686 for Youth Focus.
One hundred and seventy three cyclists rode in to Kings Park to hundreds of waiting family and supporters on Saturday after completing the 700km, five day journey from Albany.
There were 33 teams this year who were looked after by 47 support crew across four pelotons, which visited several schools along the way talking about their own mental health journeys and Youth Focus services.
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WACA chief executive Christina Matthews finished her second ride on Saturday and said while it was a long ride, “it’s a good ride”.
Ms Matthews said her peloton’s presentation at Collie Senior High School was a highlight.
“The kids there asked some really good questions and I got a sense they were really interested and wanted to learn from what we were saying,” she said.
Ms Matthews said money raised from this year’s ride would ensure Youth Focus could continue its services and expand them to reach more young people.
“It’s not a problem that’s getting smaller, it’s a problem that’s getting bigger,” she said.
“Some of the schools we went to didn’t have in-school counsellors so some of that money goes to helping them and giving them support.”