Cyclists pedaled to get loud during the to bring awareness to the issue of mental health and suicide prevention.
鈥淭he event is a fundraiser but also raises community awareness and it鈥檚 a rallying point so we can all come together and get loud about mental health, reduce stigma and show, as a community, that we really support people with mental illness and families,鈥� Jessica Samuels, communications and events manager at the Canadian Mental Health Association 91大黄鸭 said.
Related: Mental health awareness bike ride coming back to 91大黄鸭
Locally known as the Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Ride, 400 participants took off to raise dollars for programs and services with CMHA 91大黄鸭. The ride reached their fundraising goal of $82,500 yesterday and organizers believe they will raise more funds today during the ride.
The event is named after two brothers, Payton and Dillon Budd, who died by suicide two years apart.
Their father, well-known local philanthropist Tom Budd, has spoken out about the challenge of mental illness and has donated and raised money for mental health initiatives and has raised awareness about the issue.
Related: Great Big Sea fame raises funds for CMHA
鈥淚 love to ride, and I am passionate about ending the silence,鈥� said Budd. 鈥淏eing a part of CMHA 91大黄鸭鈥檚 Ride Don鈥檛 Hide was a perfect fit for my foundation and family.鈥�
At 11:30 a.m. prizes will be announced and closing ceremonies will commence to celebrate removing the stigma of mental illness and depression.
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