Ride Don't Hide

Ride Don't Hide is an annual charity event organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise awareness for, and ultimately defeat, the stigma surrounding mental illness. The event was called the Community Bike Ride in 2009, the ride eventually became Ride Don't Hide in 2012^[1] after Michael Schratter started a ride event called Ride Don't Hide. In his ride, Schratter cycled 40,000 kilometers over 469 days,^[2] raising nearly $70,000^[3] to raise awareness for, and ultimately defeat, the stigma surrounding mental illness.^[4] Proceeds from the ride go towards Canadian Mental Health Association's efforts in promoting mental well-being, with emphasis on women and their families.

Ride Don't Hide

Formation	2009
Type	Charity
Purpose	To create awareness and defeat the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Founder	Michael Schratter

History

The Community Bike Ride in its inaugural ride in 2009 saw 39 riders take part.^[5] Building on the momentum spearheaded by Michael Schratter's highly publicized Ride Don't Hide bike ride, which garnered national media attention, the Community Bike Ride became Ride Don't Hide in 2012 with roughly 400 participants.^[6]

In 2013, Ride Don't Hide expanded province wide, with 13 communities taking part,^[7] with 2,200 participants,^[8] raising over $400,000^[9] for various mental health programs.^[10]

The ride is set to eventually become a national event.^[11]

References

1. "How It Began - Shoppers Drug Mart Ride Don't Hide". from the original on 2013-06-10. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
2. "Mental Health Advocate Michael Schratter Completes Epic Worldwide Cycling Journey". www.newswire.ca.
3. "Axiom Cycling Gear". www.axiomgear.com. from the original on 2012-04-01. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
4. "Vancouver teacher finishes 40,000-km ride for mental health - CBC News". from the original on 2012-08-19. Retrieved 2013-06-16.
5. "thestar.com - The Star - Canada's largest daily". thestar.com. from the original on 2016-10-06. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
6. "Vancouver News - Local Coverage from the Star Vancouver". thestar.com. from the original on 2018-11-07. Retrieved 2018-12-04.
7. "CMHA BC exceeds fundraising goal in first ever province wide Shoppers Drug Mart "Ride Don't Hide" event - Shoppers Drug Mart Ride Don't Hide". from the original on 2013-07-25. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
8. "Ride Don't Hide- June 23, 2013 Goal exceed! - Canadian Mental Health Association Simon Fraser Branch".
9. "Cyclists raise money for mental health - Nanaimo News Bulletin". 10 July 2013. from the original on 2013-08-19. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
10. "Ride Don't Hide supports mental health - Kelowna News". from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2013-10-31.
11. McKnight, ,Zoe. "Ride Don't Hide cycling event raises over $400,000 for mental health (with video)". from the original on 2013-06-27. Retrieved 2013-10-31.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)