Formation 2009 Founder Michael Schratter | Type Charity | |
Purpose To create awareness and defeat the stigma surrounding mental illness. | ||
Ride Don't Hide is an annual charity event spearheaded by Canadian teacher Michael Schratter, who cycled 40,000 kilometers over 469 days to raise awareness for, and ultimately defeat, the stigma surrounding mental illness. Schratter lives with bi-polar disorder and has experienced stigma as a result of it. Benefitting the Canadian Mental Health Association, proceeds from the ride go towards promoting mental well-being, with emphasis on women and their families.
Ride Don't Hide is an annual charity event organized by the Canadian Mental Health Association to raise awareness for, and ultimately defeat, the stigma surrounding mental illness. Starting as the Community Bike Ride in 2009, the ride eventually became Ride Don't Hide in 2012 after a ride of the same name by Michael Schratter. In his ride, Schratter cycled 40,000 kilometers over 469 days, raising nearly $70,000 for the Canadian Mental Health Association. 2013 saw Ride Don't Hide expand province wide, with 13 communities taking part, raising over $400,000 for various mental health programs.
History
Originally known as the CMHA Community Bike Ride, its inaugural ride in 2009 saw 39 riders take part. Building on the momentum spearheaded by Michael Schratter's highly publicized Ride Don't Hide bike ride, which garnered national media attention, the Community Bike Ride became Ride Don't Hide in 2012 with roughly 400 participants and grew exponentially in 2013 to 2,200 participants. The ride is set to eventually become a national event.