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Black Dog RIDE 520 For Many

By Leigh Thomas Join Me

Help me make it meaningful

Many of us are going through it, many of us have been through it, many of us, never seek help, and many of us succumb to it. Depression, anxiety, self harm, and suicide are all things we have been touched by in our lives at some stage whether we have experienced it or felt the ripple effect of it. To raise awareness and help to raise funds to fight this crippling state of mind I’ve set myself a challenge. On the 28th of October my goal is to ride 520 km in five days round trip on my loaded touring bike starting on my driveway at Yamanto then winding my way down the coast line into Northern New South Wales till I reach Ballina Lighthouse then turn around and ride back home.

We are all part of the same human community and we have a responsibility to care for and support one another.

That’s why I’m getting active and raising funds for the Black Dog Institute - to support crucial mental health research and support services that help Australians impacted by mental illness and suicide.

Help me create a meaningful moment for mental health as I work up a sweat, all for a great cause.

“Your shadow is never bigger than your light”

Please donate now. Thank you.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$1,322

My Goal

$1,250

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My Achievements

My Updates

Main beach

Friday 1st Nov
Main beach 

Camping sites

Friday 1st Nov
This is my camping at Byron and main beach 

Byron bay lighthouse

Friday 1st Nov
Rode to the Byron bay lighthouse Tuesday afternoon 

Flat

Friday 1st Nov
I only managed 1 flat tyre the whole way

Back safe and sound

Friday 1st Nov
Hi everyone 
Just to let you know I made it back this afternoon safe and sound ,it was nearly 600 klms in 5 days if you include detours,.I made it to Ballina lighthouse on Wednesday morning. It stormed last night and I got wet and rained on the 1st day of riding too,the head winds made riding a challenge,yesterday was by far the worst day in that respect.
I rode 110klms with no let up of a North head wind ,I had to dig deep but I got to main beach at around 3:50 pm 
All in all it was a great experience,meet some lovely people and had so conversation around mental heath once people new why I was riding at a loaded touring bike 
Thank you everyone for supporting me and black dog institute 

Bike packed and ready

Sunday 27th Oct
Hi everyone 
Once again thank you for supporting Black dog institute and me on this journey.Bike is packed and ready to go in the morning,I can’t wait 
I will not be posting any blogs on this platform as I will not have I pad to do so but my phone number is 0422278969 if you would like some pictures of the journey day by day 
I will post some pictures on this platform when I return back from my ride ,once again thanks for your support 
Leigh

Why am I riding

Saturday 26th Oct
People have asked me why I am riding?
I am riding for reasons, bigger than money and in some small way, I want to make a difference and although my impact is very minimal in the grand scheme of things I hope that at least I have helped one person on my journey.
Distance to travel, although not massive in the big picture will push me into uncomfortable territory with the time I have given myself 
In summary, the reason for this ride is for the 3214 people that have died by suicide last year, and for their family and friends that have been left behind.
I hope that funds raise can go into education and rehabilitation for those among us that suffer from mental illness

Except what you can’t change

Sunday 6th Oct
Except what you can’t control 
Change for me has happened when I come to the conclusion that I can’t control the opinions of others or their thoughts or actions ,l can only change the way I deal and think about things ,the view from the top of the mountain is the same,it all depends on the track you take to get to the top ,we can take the easy track or hard track ,it all come down to decision and prospective 

R U OK? DAY Thursday 12/9/24

Wednesday 11th Sep
                                 “Are you okay ?”
                          Always the same question 
                                  “I’m fine”
                           Always the same lie

Please ask someone today if they are okay,NO …really ask someone today how they are going,simply listening and be in the moment with them ,you will never know how much it means to them and what difference you have made 
                          




Nothing is ever as it seems

Thursday 29th Aug
.You can smile and make joke 
AND STILL HAVE DEPRESSION 
.You can sound confident 
AND HAVE ANXIETY 
.You can have everything 
AND FEEL NOTHING 
For even a person who’s going through it
CANNOT EXPLAIN IT
PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK YOUR LOVED ONES 
NO MATTER HOW FINE THEY SEEM 

Initial goal reached

Thursday 29th Aug
Hi everyone, eight weeks out, and I’ve already reached my initial goal of $750. To be honest I didn’t think I’d even get that. So thank you to everyone so far for supporting me and the Blackdog Institute. Please keep sharing my links in your worlds, so we can raise as much money as we can to fight suicide and mental health. You are all champions.✌️

Thank you to my Sponsors

$20

Anonymous

$100

Anonymous

$36.93

Nathan Neilsen

$52.75

Jeanette Cullen

Take care on you're ride Leigh .

$200

Bob And Bernadette Staiano

$5.28

Anonymous

$52.75

Darshan Venaruzzo

$50

Sunny Thomas

Good on ya dad, yet another selfless act as you use your gift of health and fitness to spread awareness to everyone that passes you. Now go get on the blacktop!

$21.50

Mick Cunningham

$31.65

Kahli

Safe travels Uncle Leigh 🤍

$5.28

Summer Thomas

$52.75

Jason Reeve

Good luck Leigh ride safe

$21.10

Kris Kirk

$47.48

Karen Olds

Thanks Leigh.

$21.10

Heather Cattell

$31.65

Anonymous

Good luck mate

$23.21

Chris Elliot

Good luck mate.

$52.75

Greg W

$52.75

Kristen Thomson

Goodluck Leigh! A great cause. Go well, go strong.

$15.82

Ron Irwin

$52.75

Diane Ralph

Good luck

$10.55

Anonymous

$5

Emma Kirchner

$52.75

Blackstone Girl Guides

You got this, safe trip from Blackstone Girl Guides

$31.65

Chloe Peacock

Such a great challenge for you Leigh! I wish you the best of luck 😀

$10.55

Allison S

$52.75

David Pratt

$15.82

Kathryn Neilsen

Good luck !!

$52.75

Haylea Petrie

Blessed to have you on my life, beautiful man inside and out

$73.85

Camilla Neilsen

Good luck doing this.

$21.10

Cindy

$5.28

Summer Thomas

Good on you dad can’t wait for it to kick off. So proud of you

$42.20

Katrina Nielson

Good luck mate as always my hat off to you for thinking and caring about others xx