Sixth annual suicide awareness bike ride most successful yet
Something had to be done after their son was lost to suicide. Six years ago, a grieving mother and father chose to use their loss as a means to make others aware mental health is very real and it’s OK to ask for help.
On April 27, 2009 Veronica and Rod Apesin from the English River First Nation learned their son past away to suicide. The following year, with assistance from the chief and band council, the Apesins started a bike ride from Meadow Lake to Beauval, a trek of 150 km, and six years later it’s more successful than ever.
Earlier this week, on Tuesday, Aug. 16, 35 riders and a couple dozen more vehicles convoyed down the highway and wrapped up the annual ride with a barbecue in Beauval.
“This year we had great support. Our local nurse was in the ambulance, our community RCMP officer was ahead and a good support team handing out sandwiches and water along the way,” Veronica said.