Members of Brock University’s Ride Don’t Hide teams are seeking additional participants. From left, Adam Anderson, Educational Technologies Support Assistant with the Centre for Pedagogical Innovation, Donna Phelps, Administrative Assistant with Computer Science, Marissa Marinaccio, Employee and Labour Relations Advisor with Human Resources, Sheena Erhardt, Student Transitions Co-ordinator with Student Life and Community Experience, Jacqueline Warden, Pension Analyst with Human Resources and Kristen Nilsen, Change Management Co-ordinator with Human Resources.Calling all pedal pushers: Brock is seeking participants for Canada’s largest mental health bike ride.
Niagara’s fourth annual Ride Don’t Hide takes place on campus Sunday, June 24. In addition to being a venue sponsor this year, Brock has entered two teams — the Walkie Talkies and Brock University — and is currently seeking participants and donations in support of them. Funds raised will support the Canadian Mental Health Association Niagara’s (CMHA) crisis services.
“Mental Health is so important in everyone’s lives,” said Marissa Marinaccio, Niagara Ride Don’t Hide committee member and Employee and Labour Relations Advisor with Brock’s Office of Human Resources. “My friends and family extremely close to me have been affected by mental health and I have felt the struggle of others when they are seeking support.”
Participants will have the option of riding or walking a five-kilometre route on Brock’s campus, riding a 15-km route through beautiful rural scenery along Decew, Cataract and Holland roads or riding a 25-km route that includes both the rural route and campus.
Brock’s Walkie Talkie team will be walking the five-kilometre route, while members of Brock University team will have the option of walking five kilometres or riding the 15- or 25-km routes.
Participants who sign up before Saturday, June 23 can take advantage of a reduced $40 registration fee before it is increased to $50. Children under the age of 12 are free. Registration includes a T-shirt and food voucher. There will also be water-filling stations, on-site massages and a children’s play zone with activities like face painting, a themed bouncer, hoola hoops and other sports equipment.
Lunch will be provided by food truck company Curbside Events and will include the option of a beef burger, vegetarian burger, sausage, hot dog, chicken tenders or vegetarian falafel with french fries and a drink.
Last year’s Niagara Ride Don’t Hide event raised more than $30,000 in support of vital mental health programs and initiatives. In addition to paying the registration fee, participants are encouraged to fundraise online or collect cash and cheques with paper pledge forms.
“The stigma of mental health needs to end,” said Marianccio. “By participating in Ride Don’t Hide, I want people to know that it’s OK to ask for help.”
To support Brock’s teams by registering or donating, visit Niagara’s Ride Don’t Hide website.
