Hawaiian Ride for Youth Sees 150 West Australians Cycle 700km for Youth Mental Health
Fremantle local Richard Liley is among 150 dedicated cyclists pushing through a gruelling 700-kilometre journey from Albany to Perth, all in the name of youth mental health. The Hawaiian Ride for Youth, now in its 24th year, is a four-and-a-half-day event facilitated by the not-for-profit charity Youth Focus, which provides professional, confidential support for young people aged 12 to 25.
Personal Motivations Drive Participation
Mr Liley, on his fourth ride, draws inspiration from his own mental health battles and the challenges of raising three teenage girls. "We've had varying challenges with the kids through those years, some where they've been able to navigate it OK on their own and some where they've needed help from us or professional services," he shared. "I've had bouts of depression over the years as well. I was keen to get involved in the ride because of the physical challenge side of it, but also being able to contribute to Youth Focus and the work they do, knowing how that impacts kids in those adolescent years."
His cousin James, an original rider from 2003 who has participated every year since, encouraged him to join. "He was hassling me for years to do it. He and I have a wonderful relationship, he's someone I lean on if I'm having a tough time, and me for him. It's wonderful to share the experience with him," Mr Liley added.
Community Engagement and Fundraising Efforts
The riders travel in three pelotons—coastal, inland, and Wheatbelt—visiting 15 schools along the route to share personal mental health stories. "That's probably one of the highlights, where we can see the kids that may be going through those challenges and haven't spoken up about it and show them it's OK to talk about it," Mr Liley explained. Youth Focus representatives accompany the visits, often leading to young people reaching out for help afterward.
Preparation for the event involved:
- Countless early morning wake-ups
- An extensive five-month training program covering about 7000km of riding
- Plenty of community outreach activities
Each cyclist is expected to raise a minimum of $5000, with riders aiming for a total of $2 million this year through events like sundowners, Bunnings sausage sizzles, and a big breakfast in King's Park hosted by MACA. Since its inception in 2003, the ride has raised over $36 million for youth mental health services.
Impact and Support Services
Youth Focus has seen more than 3500 young people and provided over 20,000 sessions in the past financial year, operating across 55 schools in Western Australia. "The money we raise from this event really helps them deliver those services," Mr Liley emphasised.
Newman College counsellor Una Flynn, participating in her second ride, highlighted the importance of accessible support. "The purpose suits me because I felt that it really aligned with the work that I do, and I believe in supporting young people to access mental health services," she said. "One of the unfortunate things in Australia is that suicide is still the leading cause of death for young people, and if we can't do anything about that, I think that's a real indictment on our community."
Addressing Youth Challenges
Ms Flynn noted that young people often face isolating challenges, including struggles with belonging and connection in the digital age. "I don't think it's all social media's fault, however we're growing up in an age where you can access digital connection, but is that genuine and is that enough?" she questioned. "There's lots of challenges young people face, and they've got access to a lot of information but sometimes not necessarily the brain development or life experience to be able to process it."
She stressed the value of no-cost, barrier-free services like those offered by Youth Focus, and the power of community support from families, schools, and sporting clubs.
Teamwork and Commitment
About 30% of this year's riders are new, growing the event's legacy. Ms Flynn and Mr Liley remain committed to the cause, rain or shine. "One of the great things is there's always somebody on the team with a little more energy, and you do it together. When I'm struggling, I know I'm not doing it alone," Ms Flynn said. "By being part of something and being supported by our teammates, we're also helping ourselves and showing others what it does to improve our own mental health as well."
The event kicked off on March 24 and concludes on March 28 with a welcome home ceremony in King's Park, continuing its vital role in Youth Focus's campaign to develop youth mental health services across Western Australia.
