Black Dog Ride Australia, Ride to the Red Centre, 17 August

[Graelin]

Hi everyone, just a note to show what we are unto in Australia with the Black Dog Rides (BDR) to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

You may remember we tried to get one of these up and running in Christchurch however we did not have the numbers at the time to make it viable.

We had a nation wide One Day Black Dog Ride in March. Approximately 4,500 riders took part in 17 rides all around Australia and we certainly raised awareness on our West Australian ride with 619 bikes and 750 riders and pillions.

We raised $190,000 for LifeLine Australia on this ride day!

On 17th August 650 riders are joining in a Black Dog Ride to the Red Centre, Alice Springs. 300 are going al the way and others do one day or up to three nights with us.

Last Sunday BDR reached a milestone, in just four years riders and supporters have donated $1,000,000 to Mental Health.

For information please go to the Black Dog Website. www.blackdogride.com.au

My bike is packed, serviced and ready to go.

This all started just four years ago with one rider, Steve Andrews who rode around Australia by himself. His vision and determination to make a difference shows that one man can make a difference.

Would be fantastic to have one of these in NZ! Sorry had to select an Island so chose South, hope the North forgive me!

[Theantidote]

just wanted to wish all the black dog riders safe journeys for the upcoming ride...
the south island is a great choice for an nz event...unfortunately for me tho i wont be able to attend anything further south than taupo (family and work commitments) but hei i can cheer from the side lines of my couch....

[Graelin]

We had a great week of riding to Alice Springs, raising awareness of Depression And Suicide prevention is the main aim and this was certainly achieved with the Lions Clubs involvement in feeding us and media coverage.

An emotional journey none of the 655 riders who participated will ever forget, 300 riders rodeall the way.

The small town of Wudinna South Australia came out to welcolm us, school children lining the street, people outside houses waving. The Lions Club President who had coordinated our visit sadly lost his farm and took his own life two days before the ride started. The whole town was involved in putting on an extraordinary welcolm and feast for us despite the tragic circumstances.

The Port Augusta dinner was one that left not a dry eye. Ivy made a very special presentation to the widow and daughter. The Husband and Father took his life some time before.

The ride finished with a three hundred bike parade through the Todd Street Mall and Mayoral Welcolm.

We are determined to do what we can for this issue. The funds raised are going directly to LifeLine and Mental Health First Aid. Lifeline has found younger people wont use the phone so these funds are building the LifeLine Online Chat service.

To date we have raised a staggering $351,000 + from this ride. In just four years we have raised over $1,000,000 all donated to mental health.

A fuel stop



The border


Coober Pedy welcolm s BDR



Did I mention I love my Beemer?


An Aboriginal man probably an Elder in white shirt Hi fives every rider as we parade through Todd Street Mall.



For further details. www.blackdogride.com.au

I did just under 8,000 kilometres in 15 days that I will remember for the ride and the people met along the way.

[Theantidote]

thanx mr.graelin for keeping us up to date...some awesome photos and it sounds like it was an awesome event all in all...
i kept up to date via facebook and all i can say is i wanted to be there all the way...my thoughts were with you every day...
keep up the good work...i know a lot of people need support during very difficult times (just spent today counselling a lady whose daughter attempted suicide earlier this week) and every little bit of awareness is only a good thing...
thank you, thank you, thank you

[Graelin]

Thanks For the feedback Theantidote and so tragic the job you have of counselling a lady who's daughter attempted suicide.

The BDR website has just tonight put up it's official ride wrap up which is linked below. 5,600 people will be able to use LifeLines OnLine Chat with the donations.

http://www.blackdogride.com.au/view/.../rc2013-wrapup

The last 100 kilometres home were in a storm front, yes it rains here!



Next year we have a ride around Australia and 2015 Black Dog Ride heads to USA for a coast to coast ride. We still wish to see this travel the Tasman!