Mental Health Crusader Michael Schratter Launches the Canadian
Home Stretch of his “Ride Don’t Hide” Worldwide Journey inHalifax
Home Stretch of his “Ride Don’t Hide” Worldwide Journey inHalifax
Halifax, NS – After one year of bicycling around the world, crossing six continents and 30 countries clocking more than 30,000 km, mental health crusader Michael Schratter returns home next week to embark on the Canadian home stretch of his epic “Ride Don’t Hide”journey.
He is riding to battle the stigma and discrimination associated with a mental illness for the one in five Canadians who experience mental illnesses like depression, anxiety disorders and schizophrenia.
Michael’s final challenge: the 10,000 km Canadian home stretch begins in Halifax on August 16, riding coast to coast through the Canadian landscape as the colder weather descends. The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) BC Division is calling on all Canadians to celebrate Michael’s remarkable achievement to date and support him on his journey home by riding along with him, promoting his campaign or by donating to the cause.
To celebrate his homecoming and kick-start his Canadian launch, an event and press conference is planned for Tuesday, August 16 in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia.
“Ride Don’t Hide” Canadian home stretch launch press conference:
What: Mental health crusader Michael Schratter kicks off the Canadian home stretch of his
“Ride Don’t Hide” world-wide journey www.ridedonthide.com
When: Tuesday, August 16 at 11 a.m. AT
Where: The Bike Pedaler Shop, 25 Portland Street,Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
Who: Bike Pedaler owner Marc Rickard tunes Michael’s bike up for the journey to come;
Representatives from the Canadian Mental Health Association; Supporters from the mental health and cycling communities.
A Vancouver school teacher and newspaper columnist, Michael began his “Ride Don’t Hide”campaign on August 1, 2010 with the goal of cycling 40,000 km, the distance around the globe, and raising funds for mental illness. All he had was a bike, a knapsack and determination to live out a dream where he could create awareness and help empower people dealing with mental health challenges. He started out in Vancouver, rode down through the west coast of the United States, Mexico and South America, flew over to the east coast of Australia and cycled up through Asia and then hopped over to Europe. He did all of this by taking a year away from his job as a grade five teacher and funded his own expenses as he travelled the globe.
All funds raised locally through events will stay in the community to support the local CMHA Branch. Funds raised through online donations will be designated for the CMHA BC Division child and youth initiatives. Read Michael’s blog and learn more about the amazing “Ride Don’t Hide” expedition at www.ridedonthide.com .
The CMHA BC Division is a charity which promotes the mental health of all British Columbians through community-based programs and services, public education, advocacy, and research. It is part of a network of more than 10,000 CMHA volunteers and staff in over 135 communities across Canada. CMHA BC Division is the sponsoring organization and facilitator for “Ride Don't Hide” events to raise funds and awareness for local CMHA projects. www.cmha.bc.ca
Media Contact:
Yvonne Chiang, BreakThrough Communications Inc., 604-880-5090,
Canadian Mental Health Association
No comments:
Post a Comment