Hawaiian Ride for Youth raises $2.2m

The 2018 Hawaiian Ride for Youth continues to be one of the state's most successful fundraisers, raising $2.2 million for mental health prevention with 170 riders.

The funds will be put towards suicide-prevention not-for-profit, Youth Focus.

This year’s funds raised were down $20,000 against 2017’s total at the closing of the event, while rider numbers decreased by three.

The donation portal remains open post ride, however, taking 2017’s figure to $2.5 million and this year’s final total still to come.

With a minimum raise of $5,000 per entrant, the ride has raised in excess of $19 million since inception in 2003.   

This year the ride took participants departing from Albany and Geraldton, including eight CEO Challenge participants and Deputy Premier and Mental Health Minister Rodger Cook across four routes - Coastal, Inland, Wheatbelt and the Mid-West.

Hawaiian Ride for Youth chair and rider Phil Renshaw said the ride raised vital awareness and funds for Youth Focus and its important work to support young people and help arrest the toll of youth suicide.

Youth Focus chief executive, Fiona Kalaf, said that 54 young Western Australians aged between 15 and 24 died by suicide last year.

“Statistics show more than one young person dies to suicide each week, leaving their families dealing with the abject grief, guilt and pain of losing a loved one unnecessarily to suicide,” Ms Kalaf said.

“The ripple effect in our community is profound.”