Two mothers biking the South Island for Mental Health Awareness

We are two mothers, who have each gone through experiences that have impacted our mental health, who are raising funds for the Mental Health Foundation and a local Golden Bay organisation, Te Whare Mahana.

We are cousins -Jo-Anna McKay and Sandy McKay. Jo-Anna’s son Jack Robertson, lost his battle for life, suiciding in late 2018. Sandy lost her son to cot death in infancy. Both events reshaped their lives.

Jo-Anna contacted Sandy in April saying “you are the only one I know who would be crazy enough to do this. “Would you bike the South Island with me to celebrate Jack’s life, starting on his birthday the 6th March next year 2020? I want to celebrate Jack’s life by challenging myself.

Sandy’s first reaction was “why not?”

Her second reaction was “some training will be needed here, actually quite a lot, eeeek!”

So here we are. We set off from Farewell Spit to ride our bikes to Bluff, supported by family and friends along the way. It’s exciting for us, raising funds and awareness of the importance of mental health. This is one friend helping another realise a dream. We are calling it the “Leave it on the road tour”.

From experience we both believe that these two things can help your mental health:

1. Exercise is a saving grace, you just need to put one foot after the other. Moving forward seems to bring some comfort to your thoughts.

2. Surround yourselves with supportive people who can bring laughter to you. Laughter, even in the hard times, can lift you up just a little.

All funds from this GiveaLittle page will go to the “Mental Health Foundation” who work tirelessly in an area of health often overlooked.

Te Whare Mahana, a local Golden Bay organisation committed to helping people with with their mental health.

Any donation, however great or small, will be appreciated for these worthy organisations.