1 Dayer 2014 Ride Wrap Up
Four years after 250 riders joined the first one day ride organised by Black Dog Ride, thousands of riders hit the highways in every state and territory to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.
The 2010 Black Dog Ride for LAMP set the wheels in motion for what has become a nationwide awareness raising effort on one single day involving thousands of Black Dog Riders, community organisations, local clubs, small businesses and individuals Australia wide.
This year, the annual Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer took place in an amazing 31 locations in every state and territory with 6,500 Black Dog Riders participating in an effort to amplify our message of awareness in every region.
RIDE COORDINATORS
All the legs of the 1 Dayer were coordinated by inspirational volunteers who poured their passion for the cause into countless hours preparing each ride leg to ultimately start the conversation of awareness everywhere. These Ride Coordinators are:
ACT Darren Skuse & Matt Marais
NSW Rose Hancock, Daz Jewell, John Shearer, Steven Gower & Wayne Amor, Nathe & Paula Gyaneshwar, Todd Taylor, Jeffrey Rosser, Rod Thompson, Brett Parsell, Mark Thorpe & Anny Seaton
NT Ray Jones, Erin Cassidy, Andrew Prescott
QLD Brett & Michelle Lewis, Liz Molloy & Kylie Sage, Charles Linsley, Michael Young, Ben Price
SA Merv & Julie Storton, Stephen Dickson, Malcolm Smith
TAS Betty Parssey
VIC Ric Raftis, Ray Pratt, David McAuliffe, Heather Muskee, Jim Redmond
WA Graeme Raine, Sam Prince, Peter Shaw, Kathy Nikolaenko & Beth Waters
These local legends are helping Black Dog Ride turn our vision of a nation who can talk about mental health openly into a reality. Our heartfelt thanks to them for giving so much of themselves in the 1 Dayer.
MEDIA
The aim of organising Black Dog Rides is to start the conversation of depression and suicide prevention awareness in our communities. Over two months there were over 90 items of media collected which we've compiled here: 1 Dayer 2014 Media.
For those couple of months this year, not a day went by without a media outlet mentioning Black Dog Ride and what we (you!) ride for. Thank you!
PHOTOS
Have you got any snapshots from your ride? Please contact Fiona as we're putting them in albums HERE so everyone in the BDR community can enjoy them. Check out the Black Dog Ride pics on Instagram HERE and the 1 Dayer pics on Twitter HERE.
RIDERS
Drum roll, the figures are in and they look awesome!
| STATE | LEG | BIKES | PILLIONS | TOTAL |
| ACT | Canberra | 177 | 23 | 200 |
| NSW | Bathurst | 107 | 14 | 121 |
| NSW | Central Coast | 410 | 125 | 535 |
| NSW | Coffs Harbour | 65 | 15 | 80 |
| NSW | Condobolin | 26 | 3 | 29 |
| NSW | Dubbo | 220 | 48 | 268 |
| NSW | Penrith | 358 | 56 | 414 |
| NSW | Port Macquarie | 139 | 23 | 162 |
| NSW | Tamworth | 59 | 13 | 72 |
| NSW | Wagga Wagga | 101 | 25 | 126 |
| NSW | South Coast | 131 | ||
| NT | Alice Springs | 44 | 7 | 51 |
| NT | Darwin | 175 | 35 | 210 |
| QLD | Fraser Coast | 105 | 29 | 134 |
| QLD | Gold Coast | 350 | ||
| QLD | Mackay | 138 | 31 | 169 |
| QLD | Sunshine Coast | 242 | 38 | 280 |
| QLD | Townsville | 195 | 50 | 245 |
| SA | Hahndof | 153 | 34 | 187 |
| SA | Roxby Downs | 11 | 0 | 11 |
| SA | Kangaroo Island | 41 | 10 | 51 |
| TAS | Campbell Town | 220 | 44 | 264 |
| VIC | Bendigo | 150 | 40 | 190 |
| VIC | Mildura | 155 | 41 | 196 |
| VIC | Pakenham | 304 | 42 | 346 |
| VIC | Penshurst | 94 | 3 | 97 |
| VIC | Wangaratta | 188 | 37 | 225 |
| WA | Avon Valley | 267 | 54 | 321 |
| WA | Bridgetown | 506 | 120 | 626 |
| WA | Geraldton | 187 | 27 | 214 |
| WA | Kalgoorlie | 180 | 28 | 208 |
| 6513 |
SPONSORS & SUPPORTERS
We would be remiss not to mention and thank the fantastic sponsors and the legendary Lions Clubs whose support is essential to the success of these rides. We also gratefully acknowledge the volunteers who worked tirelessly behind the scenes supporting the Ride Coordinators.
RAFFLE WINNERS
In March we announced great incentive prizes for pre-registering plus prizes for the top 3 fundraising riders courtesy of Ryda Dot Com and Black Dog Rider Clayton Gordon. The winners have all been notified and you can read all about it, plus an awesome Ryda Dot Com value deal for Black Dog Riders right here.
FUNDRAISING
Black Dog Ride has been proud to again support Lifeline Australia with the 1 Dayer. Lifeline's crisis support and suicide prevention programs save lives every single day and your fundraising efforts help them to build and maintain these vital programs.
So far over $154,000 has been raised for Lifeline Australia's suicide prevention program! The winner of the fantastic BMW R nineT valued at $23,000 drawn on July 25th 2014 was Suzanne McIver. See her winning smile here. All raffle proceeds go directly to Lifeline to support their suicide prevention programs.
__________
Finally, a huge and heartfelt thank you to every Black Dog Rider for getting into the saddle and out into the community to kick start the conversation around depression and suicide prevention awareness.
Black Dog Riders are dragging the black dog out of the shadows!
"We watched the wonderful display of motor bikes coming into town this morning. Our daughter suffers from depression so we appreciate the work done by folks like yourself in helping to bring awareness."
Resident, WA
"It is a true privilege to volunteer with such a committed, passionate and selfless group of people for this worthy cause."
BDR Volunteer, NT
"Great work to all involved and I look forward to the next ride. We have had so many discussions around suicide awareness and prevention as a direct result of this event."
Black Dog Rider, QLD
"It was great to be a part of such a visible promotion of what's still a difficult topic to talk about (although this is definitely changing because of events such as these!)."
Black Dog Rider, WA
"To all the volunteers and organisers, you are all legends, thank you. I had a great day on the Black Dog Ride."
Black Dog Rider, NSW
"We all have to keep breaking down the walls of silence, and you Steve have started the process, and all around Australia we will make a difference."
Black Dog Rider, WA
"You guys at Black Dog Ride do a marvellous job for the community."
Resident, VIC
"Yet another awesome day, organised by outstanding and inspiring people and surrounded by so many wonderful riders"
Black Dog Rider, WA
"It is such a privilege to work with such a dedicated team of people that are so passionate about this cause!"
BDR Volunteer, NSW
"My hubby was on the Black Dog Ride 1 Dayer. It's a great event organized by some truly amazing people. You never know when it might be one of your own. The more awareness there is the more people will hopefully ask for help."
Partner of BDRider, SA
"I just want to thank Steve and all of his people that he has behind him that are out there promoting the awareness of suicide and its prevention. THANKS BDR! Who knows how many people you have saved from committing suicide, I am one and thank you again."
Black Dog Rider, NSW
"A remembrance ride for quite a few of us who have lost a loved one to depression and consequently suicide, for others it's a ride to celebrate sending the black dog to the kennels for good."
Black Dog Rider, VIC
"Bloody great job today Black Dog Ride! Your efforts do not go unappreciated!"
Black Dog Rider, QLD
"Well done to all of you involved. What a difference you make! You are all simply 'magic'."
Black Dog Rider, NSW
"This was a truly amazing day, people coming from different walks of life, all together for a great cause."
Black Dog Rider, WA