The organising committee of Alpine Rally of East Gippsland has signed on mental health initiative The Breakthrough Ride as a charity partner for this year’s event.
Throughout the three-day rally, participants of the initiative will ride through the East Gippsland with event organisers on the hunt for donations.
Founded by several Ambulance Victoria Paramedics four years ago, the program was created as a way to help emergency services personnel struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as deal with their own mental health issues.
Working closely with other initiatives such as a CODE 9 foundation, the charity also aims to raise awareness of PTSD, anxiety and depression for emergency workers.
Alpine Rally Clerk of Course Owen Polanski was happy to assist the charity through the iconic event.
“We have worked closely with all the Emergency Services in East Gippsland and have a number of long standing and valued relationships with many of the members of those services,” Polanski said.
“This is a great way that our event can give something back to those people and services, not only in East Gippsland but throughout Victoria.”
Previous campaigns have seen the charity travel to different emergency stations around northern Victoria to build awareness and offer support for colleagues, as well as raise funds for other charities such as Assistance Dogs Australia.
With certain stigmas and difficulties surrounding mental health and PTSD, the Breakthrough Ride Committee president Tim Jobling has experienced the devastating effects of PTSD first hand.
Be it as fellow emergency worker, friend or family members, the results of PTSD can often cause relationship breakdowns, which Jobling believes many people don’t consider when dealing with the issues.
“The family members are often forgotten in this process,” Jobling said.
“So this year’s ride has a strong focus on families including children who are exposed to the devastating effects of PTSD and other mental health injuries.
“All donations will be forwarded to the Code 9 Foundation, who are a registered charity, and receipts will be provided.
“These funds are used in the purchase and training of Assistance Dogs, which are an important therapeutic tool in treatment of PTSD and have in many cases reduced and even stopped self-harm and suicides.”
Program secretary Vickie Stewart Bigham was proud to have the popular rally get involved with the cause.
“We would like to thank the 2019 Alpine Rally of East Gippsland for their support of our cause as any assistance is appreciated and hope that we may be able to continue with this support in the future,” Bigham added.
Throughout the event, members of The Breakthrough Ride committee will be in attendance at the event talk with competitors, officials and spectators and to raise funds for the vital work they do.