Black Dog Ride 2024 to raise awareness for suicide, mental health
Territory motorcyclists joined a convoy to raise awareness for mental health. See the photos.
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Sunday drivers no doubt did a double take when a convoy of motorcyclists took to the Top End’s major roads to raise awareness for mental health.
Eight Australians die by suicide every day, and the NT’s motorcyclist community hopes to save even just one life by drawing attention to the heartbreaking numbers.
Rider Daryl Hooton said he had taken part in the annual event for the past four years and said it was important to remember everyone affected by suicide.
“We lose a lot of people to suicide – I do a lot of FIFO work and I do see a lot in our work,” Mr Hooton said.
“It’s very important to try and get people to talk, and sometimes they hide, they’re not forward sometimes – just talk to people.”
Volunteer Greg Grace – who has helped keep the event’s fundraisers going for a few years – urged anyone who was considering joining the ride to come along next year.
“It sounds super cliche, but if we can save one life, that’s all cool,” he said.
Black Dog Ride NT co-ordinator Shane Klein previously said this year’s Top End ride would finish at the Noonamah tavern in honour of Jim Kelly, who died by suicide.
“We’ve offered our support to the people at the Noonamah Tavern because they’ve been so adversely affected by this tragedy,” Mr Klein said.
He said the purpose of the 200-person ride was to raise awareness and “avoid tragedies”.
“At least eight Australians take their lives every day and it’s a serious problem when you think about it in those terms,” he said.
“And if this awareness causes people to ask tough questions and have those heavy-going discussions then it was worth it.
“There is help available.”
SEE THE PHOTOS
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