This year’s fifth annual Black Dog Ride will be a ripper! It starts in Bateau Bay, NSW, on July 26 and finishes at Bondi Beach on August 26 after lapping the continent!
It’s the biggest ride yet and so far 58 riders have committed to the full 14,500km, 32-day ride with seven support crew. However, another 380 riders will join in on state rides as the main ride passes through.
The annual Black Dog Ride, which began as a solo motorbike ride around Australia by Steve Andrews, raises awareness of depression and suicide prevention and raises funds for Lifeline Australia‘s Online Crisis Support chat service and Mental Health First Aid’s teen MHFA course.
John and ScramblesThe chat service has double its operating hours thanks to Black Dog Ride’s fundraising and the teen course will be rolled out to secondary schools in every state and territory. Last year the ride raised more than $352,000, on top of the $1m raised since it began.
The fund raising starts even before the ride with events in every state. In Brisbane, there will be a Christmas in July event this Saturday (July 19) at the licensed Ton Up Cafe at Rocker Classic Motorcycles, 130 Ryans Rd, Nundah, from 3-9pm. Entry is by donation and there will also be raffles.
The event has been organised by Black Dog Rider and depression sufferer John ‘Squire’ Skinner who holds a record with his own black dog, Scrambles, for being the first man and dog to ride across Australia unaided in 2008. This year they will accompany the lap of Australia ride to film the event for a TV documentary.
If you need urgent help or support, please contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
BMW R nineTMeanwhile, you could win a new BMW R nineT valued at $23,500 ride away in the Black Dog Ride raffle drawn on July 25. Tickets are $50 each. To buy a raffle ticket and show your support for Lifeline click here.