BIKERS taking part in the 2016 Black Dog Ride tour roared down the Bussell Highway on Thursday morning as they began their 4500 kilometre journey around WA.
The group of 60 riders from around Busselton and Perth will travel to Hyden, Kalgoorlie, Mount Magnet, Newman, Port Headland, Karratha, Carnavon and Geraldton before they make their way home.
On their journey they will stop at schools and talk with miners to tell them about Black Dog Ride and raise awareness about depression and suicide prevention.
City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley joined a group of supporters to farewell the riders before they departed from Fennessy Holden in Busselton.
Mr Henley said it was fantastic the riders were raising awareness about depression and suicide prevention and that the team had not only taken the message to a national level but also internationally.
“Starting Black Dog Ride in Busselton is a fantastic thing for us and something that we as a city should be very proud of,” he said.
“Depression could be a silent killer in our community and raising awareness through events like the Black Dog Ride can remove the stigma and help people get treatment so they can make it through the other side,” he said.
Lamp Inc Mental Health Services workers were at the send off to wish the riders well and have worked with the organisation since their first trip in 2009.
Steve Andrews has become a local legend for starting Black Dog Ride.
- City of Busselton mayor Grant Henley
Lamp youth program manger Paula Farley said they were great supporters of the Black Dog Ride because the work they did on their ride helped the community.
“We work with adults and young people in the community to help promote mental wellness and help people on the road to their recovery,” she said.
The group took off from Fennessy Holden which have supported the organisation and provided support vehicles for the tours around Australia.
Fennessy dealer principal Ray Mountney said it was a good and long association that he hoped continue for a long time to come.
“We are very proud of our relationship and very proud of Steve Andrews for starting the organisation, well done and more power to all of you,” he said.
Black Dog Ride is now in its seventh year, the rides shine a spotlight on depression and suicide prevention in regional WA, which has the second highest suicide rate in the nation.
Since Black Dog Ride began in 2009 the organisation has raised over $2 million for mental health services across Australia where there is one suicide every three hours or eight deaths a day.
In regional communities the suicide rate for men is twice as high than metropolitan areas.
People who are experiencing a crisis and need help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
