Ride to remember

In February of 2021, Forrest Axford, supported by the trust, embarked on Ride to Remember; a 3000km bike packing odyssey starting at the top of the North Island in Cape Reinga, and finishing at the bottom of the South Island in Bluff. He rode and fundraised for suicide prevention initiatives to be facilitated by both out trust, and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Thanks to his efforts, we were able to fund Shot Bro.

Mike Axford, Brett Walker, Judy Thwigg, Tony Dromgool, Andrija Hervat, Jess Watson, Destry Morgan, Sally Fields, Bella Chappell, Christine Palmer.

Those are the names of the people Forrest rode to remember, as well as anyone else who lost their life to suicide.

“My uncle took his life before I was born. He’s been gone for over 40 years now but I can still see my dad hurting, and each year I get older, I feel the hurt too. Who was he and who could he of become? I don’t know. What I do know is how to ride a bike. I may not have all the answers, and I may not know how to stop one’s pain, but I can ride a bike, and so that’s what I did. I rode my bike for him. For me. And for for everyone else who has lost someone to suicide, as well as those who’ve been lost.” - Forrest Axford

Ride to Remember was coordinated by Forrest Axford and the Healing Through Arts & Action team. Community members also participated by sharing their stories about the loved ones they’ve lost. These stories became an integral part of the messaging, further igniting the programme. 

Les Marcus was a significant supporter, donating paintings which were sold by Coconut Gallery Matakana with all profits going directly to the programme. 

Everyone who was involved has been affected by suicide, and came together to make a change in the ways they could.

“We raised $20k for suicide prevention and bereavement initiatives. Beyond that though, the programme taught us that no one person has all the answers. All you can do is reach out to those around you, and help in the ways you can. The ways you can’t, they don’t matter. Do what you can, share what you can, and that’s how we can save lives.” - Thorne Snow, Project Coordinator