RIDE for Youth chairman Phil Renshaw will complete his 9th ride for Youth Focus this year but it will be his first as a Hall of Fame inductee.
Youth Focus Community Engagement general manager Chris Harris inducted nine riders and volunteers in to the Ride for Youth Hall of Fame at the 2019 launch held at Fraser’s, Kings Park on Tuesday night.
Mr Renshaw, who lost his brother to suicide 30 years ago, said he enjoyed the engagement with schools along the way.
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READ NOW“One school that stuck in my mind was in Collie four years ago,” he said.
“It was as though the kids were trying to outdo each other with their stories but they were genuine about what was going on in their minds.
“An Asian boy stood up and said ‘I’ve been bullied everyday I’ve been at this school’.”
Mr Harris said engaging with the communities along the way was one of the key strategies in reducing youth suicide.
“Last year the ride paved the way for some services like web counselling in those areas we went through,” he said.
“We know that if young people can have a conversation about their mental health we know the outcome will be far greater.”
This year, riders will be part of more events and visit more schools in the Wheatbelt.
Ride for Youth 2019
WHEN: March 26-30
WHERE: Albany to Perth, Geraldton to Perth
RIDERS: 190
TEAMS: 34
MONEY RAISED: $19.8 million
WEBSITE: https://www.rideforyouth.com.au/