David and Rochelle Hynes revved up their motorcycle engine to raise awareness for mental health.
The couple made a 19 day trek across the country, travelling from Fort McMurray to Vancouver, all the way to St. Johns, NFLD and back raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association of Wood Buffalo (CMHAWB.)
So far, they have also raised over $10,000.
Inspired by Keith Muse of 80s Summer Camp they were motivated to make the trip after experiencing depression themselves and loosing close friends to suicide.
“We decided we had to put our foot down, enough is enough and tried to get people conversing and talking about mental health,” said David.
What drove them to choose a motorcycle trek was the freedom they felt going for a ride on David’s 2019 Indian Chief Unlimited.
They started a Facebook group, A Ride Down AddyLayne, where people can feel free to share their own stories and struggles with mental health.
“We’re getting a lot of great feedback as well, people are actually happy to have a space like this where they can go and open up and get support from other people who have been through the same kind of things.”
Rochelle says the name of the group was inspired from their children.
“Our daughter has struggled with anxiety and still has days she finds rough, so we definitely speak to her and let her know what we are doing and the reason that we are doing it and hopefully it helps her and she can pass it on to her friends or just know herself that she is not only, we are all here.”
Along the way Rochelle would post updates from the road, and dedicate legs of the trip in memory of those who lost their lives to suicide.
Donations poured in through a go-fund-me page, barbeques and T-Shirts that are still available for purchase with 20 per cent from all the sales going towards the CMHAWB.
Christine Savage, executive director for the CMHAWB is very thankful for their efforts.
“It actually means quiet a bit, because we will be able to enhance our services, every dollar they raise will stay here in this community to provide supports around mental health,” said Savage.
They are already making plans to do the trip next year, even bigger, with a camper or RV and family in tow.
