Record-breaking Ride Don’t Hide raises $1.36 million for mental health programs across Canada

Ride Don’t Hide raises over $44,000 for local mental health programs in Peel

Brampton, Ontario – Over 7,000 riders took part in the Ride Don’t Hide charity bike ride on Sunday, raising a record $1.36 million for Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) mental health programs and services.

In Peel Region, over 230 riders raised $44,306 for local community mental health programs. Individuals, teams and families took to the Caledon Hills on Sunday, enjoying a spectacular day of cycling, with great food and entertainment as well. Ride Don’t Hide took place in 29 communities throughout the country, making it Canada’s largest community bike ride for mental health. All funds raised at the Ride in Caledon go toward CMHA Peel’s youth mental health and client wellness programs.

“It is so inspiring to see Canadians coming out in the thousands to support mental health in their communities,” said Dr. Patrick Smith, national CEO of CMHA. “Through our national and provincial sponsors and donors we have already raised more than $1 million to support the work of CMHA in large urban and rural communities across Canada.”

Ride Don’t Hide Peel ambassador, former NHL player Shawn Antoski, championed the local Ride saying, “I know what it’s like to have suffered with depression and feel alone in it. I’ve seen the effect this has on families and I don’t want that for anyone else. I want people to speak openly about mental health so that they and others can get the help that they need.”

Antoski took on the challenge of cycling 50km Ride through the Caledon Hills, and despite a flat tire 15km into the ride, he crossed the finish line to cheers from the crowd.

For national ambassador and ride founder Michael Schratter, the groundswell of support for Ride Don’t Hide has been a dream come true.

“Ride Don’t Hide for me has always been about empowering others to come out of the dark,” says Michael, Ride Don’t Hide national ambassador. “Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined Ride Don’t Hide would be what it is today. To see thousands of people come out and ride, and show each other there’s nothing to be ashamed of, that’s what Ride Don’t Hide is all about.”

In any given year, one in five, or approximately seven million Canadians, experience a mental health problem or illness, but only one-third will seek help – often due to the discrimination and stigma around mental illness.

The tremendous growth of Ride Don’t Hide in just five years – from 560 riders in two BC events in 2012 to over 7000 thousand across five provinces this year – demonstrates an appetite for change. And that change is happening.

CMHA Peel is still accepting donations online at www.ridedonthide.com.

This event wouldn’t have been possible without the generosity of our sponsors including:

• National Sponsors: Rocky Mountain, Scimitar, Frontstream, Impact Magazine and Clif Bar
• Gold Sponsor: Jeff Rice Family Foundation and RBC Dominion Securities Wealth Management
• Silver Sponsor: Fidelity Investments
• Bronze Sponsors: The Meyer Financial Group (CIBC Wood Gundy), CRMS Software and Sentry Investments
• Community Sponsors: Kerbel Group-City South
• Special thanks to the Peel Regional Police Association and the Regional Municipality of Peel – Police Services Board

Special thanks to our community partners:

• The Caledon Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police and Peel Regional Police
• Panera Bread for the wonderful breakfast to start our day
• Jewell Catering of Mississauga for preparing lunch to all participants and volunteers
• Raleigh Canada for the donation of 2 bikes
• Bristol Car and Truck Rental and Meri-Mac for their logistics support
• CTX Fitness – Christina Tonello, our fitness, training and nutrition coach
• Core Power – for helping our cyclists replenish nutrients after the ride
• The Water Depot (Bolton) and Culligan Water for keeping everyone hydrated
• Mississauga Steelheads, Buffalo Wild Wings and Bell Canada – whose community events teams helped make the day extra special for families

We also thank the following community supporters for their donations and support, which helped ensure the Ride Don’t Hide was a success: Higher Ground Coffee Co. (Belfountain), Express Auto (Caledon East), Caledon Hills Cycling & bike mechanic Mike Watson, Lifestyle Promotions, St. John’s Ambulance, Vintage Hotels, the Region of Peel and the Town of Caledon.

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