In Denmark, where I grew up, riding a bike is as common as having a meat pie in Australia! So when I came to Australia and had my two sons almost 20 years ago, cycling quickly became my number one hobby once my knees told me my soccer career was over.
It was in a chance meeting with my friend Lu Sierra, who works at Lifeline, where I heard about the Bobbo. It was an easy decision for me to sign up, truth be told.
On my first ride, I could see how amazing the scenery was, but it was something else that made the hairs on my neck stand up. When the volunteers cheer you on like Olympic athletes, it really is an amazing feeling.
I’m really hoping to see you out there on the course – when we’re all riding together in peloton, I feel like a professional rider!
But there’s a feeling that’s even better than being cheered on by an amazing volunteer team.
My friend Lu told me how little government support Lifeline receives compared to the funding it needs, and my heart broke. I knew from working with men in construction just how dangerous suicide is.
And I also realized how important the Bobbo is for Lifeline – and therefore for the more than 1 million people in need of help who call each year.
My business partner (who is also a keen cyclist) and I decided that we should use our connections to form the biggest team we could. Members of riding groups we’re in, clients, suppliers – we’re hoping to turn our eclectic team of 30 from 2019 into 50-60 this year!
By managing our team’s registrations and jerseys, all our members have to focus on is raising donations from their friends and family. And because so much is already written, all we have to do is pass on the messages – and we’ve been blown away by the support.
In fact, our team was honoured with an invitation to the Rotary dinner after last year’s Bobbo as the highest fundraising team of 2019. It was one of the proudest moments of my life.
Riders, and your family and friends:
You already know just how good the course is, over 27km or even 104km, and you will feel so good raising funds for Lifeline. Start small, finish it with family and friends, and I guarantee you will be hooked.
I’d love to see you out on the course – it’s just a few clicks away to sign up for one of the best rides you can do AND raise critical funding for people in mental health crisis. It’s a guaranteed win-win!
