TORONTO – Six-time Olympian Clara Hughes will begin her national bicycle tour around Canada from Toronto's Maple Leaf Square on Friday, the first leg of a 12,000 km ride in support of mental health.
Over 110 days, Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk will visit 95 communities in all territories and provinces, concluding in Ottawa on July 1 as part of the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill. The kick-off event in Toronto on March 14 and the Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa are just two of the more than 200 events that are already planned in communities across the country by schools, youth organizations and community groups. Every Canadian can participate in Clara's Big Ride by attending an event or by sharing the journey online.
Canadians can also show their support by proudly wearing the limited-edition official jersey of Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk. The cycling jersey and technical t-shirt can be purchased online and $15 from the sale of each item will be donated to Kids Help Phone, the national service offering free, anonymous and confidential phone and online professional counseling for young people across Canada.
"After months of preparation and anticipation, I can't wait to get on my bike and meet Canadians everywhere to talk about mental health”, Hughes said in a statement. “Together, we can achieve a stigma-free Canada. Mental illness is part of everyone's life in some way, and talking openly about it tells those who struggle that they shouldn't fear seeking help. Beating the stigma is the biggest step we can take in moving Canada's mental health forward. So I'm eager to share my mental health story with you, and hope to hear yours."
The Bell Let's Talk mental health initiative is a national charitable program that promotes Canadian mental health across Canada with the Bell Let's Talk Day anti-stigma campaign and significant funding for community care, research and workplace best practices.
www.Bell.ca/LetsTalk
