Hawaiian Ride for Youth
Click here to visit the Hawaiian Ride for Youth Website
It was a truly special moment on Saturday 31st March as 93 riders crossed the finish line in the beautiful Kings Park and Botanic Gardens and handed over a cheque for over $1.85 million, a number that surpassed the 2012 target and all expectations. The riders all left Albany on Tuesday 27th March and had been riding for 5 days back to Perth visiting local schools along the way. The 2012 Hawaiian Ride for Youth was the largest, with 93 riders and 25 support crew, and the most successful Ride to date with thanks to the hard work and donations of many. The funds raised from this event will help us to continue to provide our free youth and family counselling services and our mentor and peer support programs over the next 12 months.
The 10th Anniversary year saw a second peloton of riders added who rode through the mainland of the Southwest. The addition of this new route meant we were able to welcome back many more alumni riders and new riders to take part and also reach more students at the local high schools.
The riders all trained for six months in the lead up to the event, covering an average of 8,000km each, and all took part in fundraising for the event, with the results speaking for their hard work and dedication. It was an up and down journey for our riders, not just out on the ride and their hard work is appreciated by all of the young people and families who access our services.
2012 Hawaiian Ride for Youth Riders cross the finish line at Kings Park.
A big thank you must also go to all of our sponsors, especially our naming rights sponsor Hawaiian, which has supported the Riders in their fundraising efforts with many also hosting their own fundraising activities. Our sponsors were all so engaged and supportive of the Ride with a big presence from all at events in the lead up to the ride and with all at the finish line to welcome the rider’s home.
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth began in 2003 when a small group of social bike riders from the Perth business community decided to combine their resources and raise funds for Youth Focus to assist in the prevention of youth suicide, depression and self-harm. Knowing that each and every teenage suicide affects hundreds of people, families, friends and neighbours, the Riders felt this issue was a concern the whole community needed to address.
The Riders participating were and still are mostly social bike riders from the business community in Perth who ride to keep fit. Generally, they are professional business people, most of them parents, who care about the ever increasing issues in their society.
The prime objectives of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth are:
- to raise funds for Youth Focus
- to raise awareness of the issues concerning youth suicide, depression and self-harm
- to raise awareness of the services provided by Youth Focus
Adrian Kluge, Hawaiian Ride for Youth Chairman (left) and Geoff Rasmussen, Youth Focus Chairman (right) present Jenny Allen (Youth Focus CEO) with the fundraising cheque on behalf of the Riders.
About the Ride
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is held annually during March/April each year. The Ride is held over five days and travels from Albany to Perth covering approximately 700km. Traditionally the cyclists ride through the regional towns of Denmark, Walpole, Pemberton, Busselton and Bunbury; with a second Peloton this year which travelled from Albany through Frankland River, Bridgetown and Collie, with both pelotons meeting up in Mandurah before finishing together in Perth
The 2012 Ride consisted of 93 riders in 22 teams plus a number of reserve riders. All riders participate in a strenuous six month training program under the guidance of leading Coach, Peter Trench from Trench Health & Fitness. The training schedule is designed to test the rider’s strength and endurance and ensure they are fit and ready for an adventure of a life time. On their journey the riders stop at a number of schools to engage the students in the issues of youth suicide, depression and self harm and the services that Youth Focus provides. The riders also share their personal stories and experiences as many have been touched in some way by these very personal issues. The school visits are usually a highlight of the Ride.
The Peleton
Fundraising
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is Youth Focus’ largest fundraising event. Since its inception in 2003 the Ride has raised over $6.5 million for Youth Focus. In 2009 the Ride for Youth won the Special Events’ category of the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s (FIA) National Awards for Excellence in Fundraising. The 2012 Hawaiian Ride for Youth was a record, exceeding the fundraising target of $1.25M.
|
YEAR
|
NUMBER OF RIDERS | FUNDRAISING TOTAL |
| 2003 | 24 | $150,000 |
| 2004 | 29 | $309,000 |
| 2005 | 38 | $350,000 |
| 2006 | 40 | $515,000 |
| 2007 | 40 | $560,000 |
| 2008 | 40 | $665,000 |
| 2009 | 36 | $458,000 |
| 2010 | 44 | $797,000 |
| 2011 | 50 | TBC |
| TOTAL FUNDRAISING | $4,686,500 | |
The fundraising target for the 2012 ride is $1.25 million
Raising awareness within the community
The awareness raised for Youth Focus from the Hawaiian Ride for Youth is equally as important as the funds raised. Aside from engaging their personal and business networks for support the Riders also participate in many individual fundraising initiatives in the lead up to the Ride.
On their journey the riders stop at a number of schools to engage the students in the issues of youth suicide, depression and self harm and the services that Youth Focus provides. The riders also share their personal stories and experiences as many have been touched in some way by these very personal issues. The school visits are always a highlight of the Ride.
To find out more about the 2012 Hawaiian Ride for Youth, the sponsors, our riders and the many events please visit the website at www.rideforyouth.com.au.
