150 riders for Hawaiian Ride for Youth arrive in Busselton

Youth mental health was the topic of the day at Georgiana Molloy Anglican School as a peloton of 150 cyclists arrived at the school as part of an annual 700km adventure. The cyclists are making the epic Journey from Albany to Perth as part of an annual Hawaiian Ride for Youth fundraiser for Youth Focus. En route from Albany to Perth, the cyclists will stop at 15 schools, where they meet students and share stories. Each rider makes a commitment to raise at least $5000 over the course of the gruelling 700km ride. This year the ride aims to raise $2 million in total, but since 2003, it has raised more than $32 million. While talking to the students at GMAS the cyclists were joined by local Youth Focus clinicians, so that after each school visit, young people know where they can reach out for help. Third-time Ride for Youth cyclist Phoebe McClements said the benefits from helping to raise money for the event was why she took part each year. “It’s really challenging, but over the last three years I have raised more than $20,000 for this cause,” she said. “Along the route, we usually have dinner in community halls with catering from local people, its just fantastic. “The people on the ride have become lifelong friends, and seeing the kids at the schools makes its all worthwhile.” Training for the ride takes around six months with the sum total of distance covered by all riders being more than 750,000km. For team captain Russell Quin, this is his second ride, which he had personal reasons for taking part. “I lost a very close friend of mine, so I ride for SJ,” he said. “As team captain, I am helping the group realise their personal fundraising goals, and I also work with the riders on their training and nutrition in preparation for the ride. “This is such an important cause, and I am really excited to a be a part of it.” Youth Focus CEO Derry Simpson said the Hawaiian Ride for Youth had become part of the fabric of WA. “The riders travel through a number of communities from Albany to Perth and the support they receive from those communities is incredible,” he said.