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Black Dog Ride event aids mental health

Indian Scout
Indian Scout

The annual Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer rides for mental health awareness are coming up on March 19, 2017, with one lucky rider winning an Indian Scout.

The Scout is valued at $19,995 and all riders who registered online before March 7 are now in the draw to win with the winner announced on the day.

Black Dog Ride founder Steve Andrews resigned this year from the mental health charity after facing up to his own issues with depression and anxiety. 

The BDR board has appointed Black Dog Ride’s Wangaratta Coordinator Jim Redmond as the interim CEO to manage the planned March 1 Dayer rides and national Tasmania rides.

Meanwhile, they are looking for a permanent replacement.

Steve started the Black Dog Ride to the centre of Australia in 2009 to raise funds and awareness for suicide prevention and mental health.

Black Dog Ride around Australia 2014 Steve Andrews prize dayer
Black Dog Ride founder Steve Andrews

A year later he added the March 1 Dayer rides for those who couldn’t afford the time for the longer trek in winter.

All funds raised through the events are channeled to mental health organisations on the front line of suicide prevention

More than $360,000 was distributed in 2016 to 30 such organisations.

The annual BDR ride in 2017 will head to Tasmania for the first time and will be held from October 28 to November 5, rather than in winter for obvious reasons.