Arc Infrastructure has marked eight years as a gold sponsor of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth (HRFY), after our team completed the 2022 annual cycling charity event in March.
Collectively the 2022 team raised $21,000 for the WA not for-profit, contributing to the $2.9 million raised this year on the 20th anniversary year of the HRFY.
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is held annually in March with riders covering over 700km on their way from Albany to Perth to raise both funds and awareness for Youth Focus.
The fundraiser began in 2003 and is held over four and a half days to support the mental wellbeing of young people in our State.
The proceeds from the HRFY go towards frontline services and education programs which aim to prevent suicide and reduce symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
The organisation’s signature service is free and uncapped face-to face counselling for those aged between 13 and 18.
For G&R Lead - HSE Delivery Adam Surjan, it was a long journey becoming a member of Arc’s HRFY team.
“This year was my first time actually participating in Ride Week and my second time training for the Hawaiian Ride for Youth,” Mr Surjan said.
“I completed all of the training in 2020 but unfortunately the event was cancelled due to COVID. In 2021 I wasn’t able to fit the preparation in around my family but for 2022, I was able to participate and have my family follow us on the ride.
“We took the coastal route this time, riding from Albany to Walpole, Pemberton, Busselton, Mandurah and back to Perth. Busselton to Mandurah was the first 200 kilometre ride for most people in our peloton and it was certainly the longest ride I had done.
“It was a challenge mentally, getting up every day and doing what seemed impossible, especially after hurting my back the day before the ride,” Mr Surjan said.
“But the comradery that develops with people along the way is something that I will always remember. Cuddling my daughter when we had finished riding for the day was another highlight for me.”
Though the participants couldn’t visit local high schools, as they normally would through the HRFY, the Arc employee still supported the event’s messages around early intervention.
“We all felt it was important to normalise speaking to others about mental health issues,” Mr Surjan explained.
“Many individuals who participate in this ride don’t do it because they are cyclists, they do it because they’ve been affected in one way or another by someone who has struggled with their mental health.”
In 2021 Arc announced ongoing support of the iconic WA fundraising event for a three year period.
The 2022 Hawaiian Ride for Youth was Arc Infrastructure’s eighth year as a team sponsor since 2015.
During this time, Arc has contributed more than half a million dollars to Youth Focus.
Learn more about the iconic Hawaiian Ride for Youth (HRFY) here.
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