Coming together for a common cause was the theme Sunday morning, June 12, as 250 riders and walkers took part in The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride, presented by the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation. The event raised $106,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Kelowna for essential programs and services for mental health and suicide prevention.
The event, called The Payton & Dillon Budd Memorial Ride in memory of two brothers who lost their lives, doubled as a place to connect, build community, and share stories as a way to increase awareness and understanding around mental health. “Being able to have the ride this year was particularly important because we have spent a long time purposely not connecting as a community in order to maintain our physical health, but it took a toll on our collective mental health,” says Mike Gawliuk, CMHA Kelowna CEO. “As a result we’ve seen a significant increase in need for our mental health programs and services. The money that ride raised – goes directly to supporting that community need.”
This year’s event utilized the Okanagan Rail Trail for a 6km, 25km or 50km bicycle ride and Knox Mountain Park for a 6km walk. It also featured a generous donation from the Thomas Alan Budd Foundation, who matched Budd’s 100 registrants’ first $100 in fundraising. Other local event sponsors included JDS Mining, MNP LLP, Affinity Wellness, Coast Capital Savings, Peter’s Independent Grocer and Smith Creek Cycle who donated a cruiser bike to the top fundraiser.
Gawliuk says the show of support for the event was tremendous. “We are incredibly grateful to the riders, striders, volunteers, sponsors, donors, and community supporters who stepped up to make this event a success and mental health in our community a priority.”
The money raised will stay local, going to CMHA Kelowna programs and services that help people of all ages access the help and support they need to live their best lives. Donations for the CMHA Kelowna ride are being accepted until June 30th on the ride website: cmhakelowna/ride2022
Thank you to Raquel Rodrigues for creating a video of the 2022 event, click here to watch.
