By Matthew Pearce
The participants in the Ride4Lives Suicide Awareness Ride know all too well that suicide is something that has touched everyone.
Motorcyclist Meg Anderson “rides harder than the boys” on her Harley-Davidson V-Rod Muscle, named Ahyoka as a tribute to her Cherokee Indian ancestary.
Meg lost an ex-partner to suicide, making Ride4Lives a cause that’s very close to her heart.
“There’s a lot of people that are touched by suicide and you never really get over it,” she said.
“It takes you years to make peace with the guilt and I’ve finally made peace with my guilt and found a wonderful partner who supports me through everything.”
Ride4Lives president Mark Brookes said more than 300 riders had joined the Suicide Awareness Ride on Saturday, 13 May, starting at Gladstone with stops at Mount Morgan and Biloela before finishing at the Ubobo Discovery Centre.
“After losing people to suicide, I found myself looking at what support there was locally around suicide prevention and intervention… There was nothing around, which told me I needed to build something,” he said.
Based in Gladstone, Ride4Lives is a non-profit organisation established in 2017 to create awareness around suicide intervention, training and suicide awareness and bereavement support.
Mr Brookes said many people enjoyed the mental health benefits of going for a ride, even if it was just to clear their head.
The Suicide Awareness Ride stopped at the Mount Morgan Rail Museum, with refreshments provided by the Mount Morgan branch of the QCWA.
“We came through Mount Morgan a couple of years ago, but wanted to come back again because we wanted to connect more with the community,” he said.
Cr Shane Latcham from Rockhampton Regional Council was impressed by the turnout at the Mount Morgan Rail Museum.
“This is a great cause that doesn’t get promoted enough and I’m glad they came to Mount Morgan… It’s a beautiful place, the railway station is looking amazing,” he said.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts please seek help through your GP, emergency 000, Lifeline (13 11 14), or Qld Health 24-hour Mental Health Triage Line (1300 64 2255).
Turn to Pages 14 and 15 for more photos from the Ride4Lives Suicide Awareness Ride.