During a time when the mental health of everyone in our community is in the spotlight, Rhino-Rack is honoured to announce its official sponsorship of the Mental Wheels Foundation; formed with a primary function to fund programs that improve the mental health of all Australians.
As depression, anxiety and suicide continue to shatter lives across the country, the Mental Wheels Foundation has determined that to make a real and lasting change there needs to be causative mental health research conducted and delivered through clinical partners so it can be made accessible to all. Their actions include providing resources and tools, funding scholarships and running events to support organisations and community groups who are actively facilitating positive mental health initiatives.
With a long history of contribution and activism in social and environmental causes, the team at Rhino-Rack felt fully aligned with the Mental Wheels Foundation and the outcomes they are working towards - so they decided to get involved. The manifestation of their involvement was realised when the General Manager and the National Sales Manager of Rhino-Rack donned the lycra jersey and bike shorts, saddled up and rode in the first 350km fundraising tour.
Ernie Fernandez and Paul Epthorp wholeheartedly had their ‘wheels on the ground’ raising a whopping $70K and finishing the ride on November 21st, 2020. Both riders were thrilled with the support shown to them in their plight to change lives by focusing on mental health. In the lead up to the event, Paul wanted to extend a massive thank you to all the people who supported him and commented: “I want to remind everyone that mental health issues are as common as the flu. And like the flu in these crazy times, it’s easy to go see someone and get checked and/or help. You are not the first to deal with it and you won’t be the last.”
Naturally, more than half the commitment required to participate in such an event was the gruelling training regime that took place in the lead-up. Ernie and Paul logged many km’s in the rain, wind and heat before ‘Tour Eve’, and it was with both nervousness and excitement that they approached the challenge on day one.
The team at Rhino-Rack would like to sincerely thank Ernie and Paul for their incredible effort, personal sacrifice and the and positive impact they made toward mental health, saddle sores and all.
If you are interested to learn more about the Mental Wheels Foundation, visit https://www.mentalwheelstour.org/