From First Ride to 700km: Tamara Gibbs Tackles Ride for Youth for Mental Health
Six months ago, Tamara Gibbs had never ridden a bicycle. This month, she is joining hundreds of other cyclists to embark on a 700km journey from Albany to Perth as part of the 24th annual Ride for Youth. This event is Australia's premier charity dedicated to preventing youth suicide and depression.
Raising $2 Million for Youth Focus
This year, the ride aims to raise $2 million for Youth Focus, a not-for-profit organisation that provides confidential and safe mental health services in schools and communities across Western Australia. "It's been unbelievable," Ms Gibbs said. "I've been training non-stop and I'm just really excited to do it. I'm nervous, definitely, but excited."
A Family Legacy of Support
Ms Gibbs and her family have been involved with the Ride for Youth since its inception 24 years ago, when the WA-based property company Hawaiian became the event's main sponsor. "My husband Russell is the chairman of Hawaiian and was previously the CEO," she explained. "He helped get the company on board to back the event ... and they've been the main sponsor ever since."
Mr Gibbs has participated in portions of the race twice before, and the couple's two daughters have raised funds and helped organise the event over the years. However, none of them have completed the entire race—a challenge Ms Gibbs is determined to overcome this year.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Despite her family's long-standing support, Ms Gibbs faced a significant hurdle: she had never ridden a bike before. "It was very daunting at the start. I'm in my 50s and wasn't really fit ... let alone had never ridden a bike before," she admitted.
Since getting on a bike for the first time in October, Ms Gibbs has been training relentlessly. The journey has been challenging, and at times she questioned whether she could see it through. However, the purpose behind the ride has kept her motivated. "At the start it was hard," she said. "But I kept pushing through because I kept reminding myself that this is nothing compared to what those young people are going through."
"For me to have to go through a bit of struggle and rebalance and work through things, it gives me a tiny taste of what some young people have to go through," she added.
Event Details and Community Engagement
The Ride for Youth event is scheduled from March 24 to 28, with 150 participants cycling approximately 700km from Albany to Perth. Along the way, riders will stop at high schools in the South West, Great Southern, and Wheatbelt regions to engage with students on the importance of positive mental health.
So far, riders have raised about $700,000, with the goal of reaching $2 million for youth mental health before crossing the finish line. "Any child or any young person that needs help should be able to have access and support services whenever they need it," Ms Gibbs emphasised.
"The youth are our future, and our youth should have the opportunity to be able to live a healthy, balanced life," she concluded.
