Pedal power helped create awareness about mental health.
On Sunday, 191 riders raised a record $45,561.75 for local community mental health programs during the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Ride Don’t Hide event.
“The Ride Don’t Hide movement is all about coming out and riding to banish the stigma around mental illness,” said Todd Strilchuk, Ride Don’t Hide committee chairperson.
“There is still a journey ahead of us, but days like this make me feel that the shadows are starting to dissipate.”
Liam’s Lunar Monkey’s raised more than $19,000 — fourth in all of Canada — in memory of Liam Hack. Hack was only a teenager when he died by suicide in 2016, and his family and friends came together to not only raise funds but awareness about youth mental health and suicide in the community.
Nationally, Ride Don’t Hide raised more than $1.5 million.
The movement was founded by Michael Schratter, a former Vernon resident.
“Ride Don’t Hide for me has always been about empowering others to come out of the dark,” said Schratter.
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Ride Don’t Hide would be what it is today. To see these 6,700 people (nationally) come out and ride, and show each other there’s nothing to be ashamed of, that’s what Ride Don’t Hide is all about.”
CMHA is still accepting donations at www.ridedonthide.com or through the Vernon branch.