Riders push health message

Former Narrogin Senior High School students Michael Pyne and Jarod Stone returned to town last Thursday as part of a 700km bike ride for mental health.

Departing from Albany last Monday, Mr Pyne and Mr Stone made their way north with riders tackling the Wheatbelt route of the 2019 Hawaiian Ride for Youth.

The ride brings together some of the State’s most prominent businessmen and women in an effort to raise awareness and funds for Youth Focus.

About 180 cyclists, covering four regional routes to Perth, took part in this year’s instalment of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth.

The event has raised $21 million since its inception in 2003.

A total of $2,164,686 was raised this year, exceeding the $1.8 million target. Mr Pyne presented to students while the group was at NSHS.

Mr Stone said he believed young West Australians were gaining a better understanding of issues surrounding mental health.

“The school stops have been fantastic — there’s somebody who presents at each of the schools and we’ve taken questions after from students,” Mr Stone said. “Engagement with the kids has been phenomenal. I’m almost gobsmacked by the maturity of conversation by students in Years such as nine and ten.”

“This sort of conversation is mature and so well articulated, it’s quite amazing.”

To complete their 700km journey, the cyclists on the Wheatbelt route departed Narrogin for Mandurah via Pinjarra, before arriving in Perth on Saturday.

Last Tuesday, Gnowangerup was their first stop after departing, before they passed through Kojonup, Katanning and Wagin.