"When we talked about doing Ride Don’t Hide it made sense immediately. Our family and friends have overwhelmed us with support.”
WOODSTOCK - CMHA Oxford has announced their community champion team for the third annual Ride Don't Hide - the Paton family.
Executive Director Mike McMahon explains why they decided to honour the Patons on Sunday June 25th.
"This ride is about more than fundraising. They've been willing to be open about their mental health journey as a family and their experiences together; both the challenges and the tragedies that sometimes happen within families that nobody knows about." The CMHA says that by being so open the family is helping to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide.
George Paton passed away in the fall. The family will be riding and spreading their message about mental health in his memory.
Nephew Chad Paton says 20 - 30 family members have joined their team to make it all happen.
"We decided to do a Ride Don't Hide together as a family. We are a really close family; most of us are still from Woodstock so we thought it would be a good way to honour him."
In a press release Matt Paton says he hopes they can help raise awareness.
“We really wanted to do something this year, an event or other recognition in memory/celebration for my dad. When we talked about doing Ride Don’t Hide it made sense immediately. Our family and friends have overwhelmed us with support.”
CMHA Oxford would like to raise $45,000 to help support community funded initiatives like Walk in Counselling. The Paton family has set a team goal of $5,000. According to their fundraising page they are sitting just under $4,400.
Registration costs $35 with the exception of kids 12 and under.
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