Riders to set off from Baldivis this weekend to raise awareness for mental health

More than 150 riders from across Perth will hit the highways this weekend to mark the fourth local Black Dog Ride.

The Baldivis 1 Dayer is a part of the nationwide Black Dog Ride, which aims to foster awareness of depression and get people talking about mental health.

Every day, eight Australians take their life, which is one life lost to depression every three hours.

Co-ordinator Chris Glover said that in the past three years of the local event more than $20,000 has been raised and, on average, each event had around 230 riders each year.

The ride will rev up in Baldivis on Sunday, where riders will assemble for breakfast before departing en masse to Dwellingup, riding in solidarity with those who are shadowed by the black dog of depression.

Those interested in riding who have not yet registered can do so on the day, with Bunnings Baldivis also offering a free sausage sizzle to riders before they leave.

Adorned on all the motorbikes, and also available for sale, will be Black Dog Ride’s Mascot Winston, a soft toy dog named after Sir Winston Churchill, who famously diarised about his battles with the “black dog” of depression. Riders will assemble at Bunnings Baldivis on Safety Bay Road from 8.30am and depart at 10am. Registration for riders is $30.

Registrations and donations can be made by visiting blackdogride. com.au. For more information about Baldivis 1 Dayer, contact Chris Glover atbaldivis@blackdogride.com.au or on 0419 919 275.