From first ride to 700km: Tamara Gibbs embarks on Ride for Youth to raise $2m for mental health

Six months ago, Tamara Gibbs had never ridden a bike.

But this month, she will be joining hundreds of other cyclists to embark on a 700km ride from Albany to Perth as part of the 24th annual Ride For Youth — Australia’s premier charity for the prevention of youth suicide and depression.

This year the ride is hoping to raise $2 million for Youth Focus — a not-for-profit organisation that operates confidential and safe mental health services in schools and communities across WA.

“It’s been unbelievable,” Ms Gibbs said. “I’ve been training non-stop and I’m just really excited to do it. I’m nervous, definitely, but excited.”

Ms Gibbs and her family have been part of the Ride for Youth event since its inception 24 years ago ago when the WA-based property company Hawaiian came aboard as the event’s main sponsor.

“My husband Russell is the chairman of Hawaiian and was previously the CEO,” she said.

“He helped get the company on board to back the event ... and they’ve been the main sponsor ever since.”

Mr Gibbs has participated in a portion of the race twice before and the couple’s two daughters have raised funds and helped organise the event over the years.

But despite all of their continued tremendous support, none of them have completed the race in its entirety — something Ms Gibbs wanted to change.

“I decided this year I’d do the whole thing, starting at Albany and riding all the way to Perth,” she said.

But there was one problem. Ms Gibbs had never ridden a bike before.

“It was very daunting at the start. I’m in my 50s and wasn’t really fit ... let alone had never ridden a bike before,” she said.

Since getting on a bike for the first time in October, Ms Gibbs has been training non-stop.

It’s been a challenging journey and at times she has questioned whether she could see it through — but the purpose behind the ride has kept her pushing forward.

“At the start it was hard,” she said. “But I kept pushing through because I kept reminding myself that this is nothing compared to what those young people are going through.

“For me to have to go through a bit of struggle and rebalance and work through things, it gives me a tiny taste of what some some young people have to go through.”

The event is held from March 24 to 28, with 150 people cycling about 700km from Albany to Perth.

Along the way, riders will be stopping off at high schools in the South West, Great Southern and Wheatbelt to engage with students on the importance of positive mental health.

So far riders have raised about $700,000, hoping to reach their goal of $2 million for youth mental health before crossing the finish line.

“Any child or any young person that needs help should be able to have access and support services whenever they need it,” Ms Gibbs said.

“The youth are our future, and our youth should have the opportunity to be able to live a healthy, balanced life.”

To help donate to the 24th annual Ride For Youth event, visit the website here.