In March 2019, Team Citadel-MAGNUS will once again take on the gruelling 700km Hawaiian Ride For Youth to help de-stigmatize the topic of mental health, support the critical services of Youth Focus and to build resilience in future generations of Australians.

Anxiety, depression and other mental health afflictions do not discriminate and the statistics around suicide in Australia are alarming – almost 3000 Australians take their own lives every year, which equates to more than eight per day. What is more concerning is that those statistics include one or more Australians under the age of 25 taking their life each day.

Suicide remains the leading cause of death for Australians aged 15-44 and children aged 5-17. Alarmingly, many more young Australians die as a result of suicide each year than are killed on our national roads.

The figures are shocking and a key reason why Citadel-MAGNUS is a strong supporter of Youth Focus. Youth Focus supports young people and their families by offering a range of free and unlimited expert mental health services to help “at risk” 12-25 year olds.

Our Ride For Youth Team in 2019 will be captained by Citadel-MAGNUS Partner John Gardner, supported by King & Wood Mallesons Partner Nigel Hunt, BMG Resources’ Managing Director Bruce McCracken, Winston Capital’s Andrew Fairweather, Palo Alto Networks’ Manager Martin Harris and Image Resources’ General Manager Todd Colton.

Over 4.5 days, from 26th March 2019, around 170 cyclists will take part in the Ride For Youth, riding 700km in four pelotons from Albany or Geraldton to Perth through the South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt or Mid-West, stopping at schools along the way to engage with students on issues of youth suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm.

Team Citadel-MAGNUS will be part of the Wheatbelt peloton, travelling from Albany through Gnowangerup, Kojonup, Katanning, Wagin, Narrogin, Pinjarra and Mandurah.

The Riders have now commenced the six month training program to be fit and ready for the Ride, covering a total of up to 6000km during 5.30am rides every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, between now and March.

To learn more about the Hawaiian Ride For Youth click here or, to support Team Citadel-MAGNUS, please click here to visit the team page and make a tax deductible donation.