Mental health ride stops off in Bass Coast

THE participants of Ride for Relief came together in Wonthaggi at Mitsubishi Motors on Saturday morning to set off on their fifth day, en-route to Mornington Peninsula via Phillip Island.

The group was raising awareness for mental health and supporting their own wellbeing through physical activity. 

The Ride for Relief event is hosted by the Peninsula Hot Springs and presented by NAB, Giant and Mitsubishi Motors Australia with local supporters including Wonthaggi Mitsubishi, jumping on board to support the community ride. 

Participants had to be individually sponsored to partake in the six-day tour; each raising $3,000 before they set off from Metung on Monday, February 20. 

The journey had riders travelling through the East Gippsland region, they then traverse back to the Peninsula Hot Springs on Mornington Peninsula via Phillip Island, where a Seaboard cruise – a sponsor of the tour - ran a dedicated ferry to transport the riders across Western Port Bay. 

Ethan Bevends of Ride for Relief met with Warren and Nicole Stewart, and Josephine Wagstaff of Mitsubishi Motors on Saturday morning, where vehicles were donated to the tour to have support crew on the road – travelling in front and behind the riders. 

“We’re proud to sponsor this great community event that is raising awareness for Mental Health,” said Warren. 

“This is the fifth year running for Ride for Relief but after a successful inaugural six-day tour in 2022, the Peninsula Hot Springs again partnered with Mentis Assist and set a goal of raising $200,000 and we’ve already surpassed that goal,” said Ethan. 

“So far, the event has raised $209,225, this includes sponsorships, as well as grassroots fundraising and raffle ticket sales,” said Josephine. 

100% of the funds raised go directly to Mentis Assist and Wellways Wonthaggi, community not-for-profit mental health support services that provides specialised mental health services for people living with mental illness. 

When the new Saltwater Springs is open to the public, participants will be able to enjoy a recovery bathing session in the natural geothermal mineral-rich waters; just as they will at the end of the ride at the Peninsula Hot Springs.  

“The participants didn’t necessarily have to be a part of a riding group or have experience in distance rides, one of the riders this year had ridden his longest distance of 50km but just on Friday they rode 150km alone,” said Ethan. 

The passion for the cause kept the riders motivated to finish the stage. A charity event that supports those suffering from mental illness and raising awareness to start the conversation.  

For more information on future cycling and bathing tours, visit www.rideforrelief.grassrootz.com