With only a handful more days of cycling before the riders make it all the way across Canada, the ride and the fundraising events have been garnering a lot of attention. Here is a summary of some of the recent media:

CTV Morning Live, Atlantic

Bill was interviewed on CTV Morning Live Atlantic, a multi-provincial show based in Halifax, this morning. You can watch the whole interview on their website.

News 95.7, Halifax

The Maritime Morning Weekend Edition interviewed Bill’s wife, Betty jo Werthmann on Sunday July 7, hours before she was reunited with her husband after nearly 2 months of being apart, since the riders passed through Southern Alberta.

Skip about two-thirds of the way through the first hour of this show to hear the interview.

The Guardian, P.E.I.

Organizers said they hope the ride not only raises funds but also public awareness about depression, suicide and other mental health issues.

Prince Edward Island’s, The Guardian newspaper covers the ride’s Charlottetown afternoon show.

United Way, Central New Brunswick

On the central New Brunswick’s chapter of the United Way’s blog, they very kindly wrote up their experience with the Fredericton fundraiser:

I was blown away by two things last night: the first was the talent of the artists on stage, the second was the love and support for Hillary, her story and her legacy.

Read the full blog post.

CKUA Radio, Alberta

Andy Donnelly, host of the Friday night Celtic Show on CKUA in Alberta had Bill on the show again on Friday. Let us know if you have a recording of the show.

A Song for the ride from Medicine Hat, Alberta

Ali Sellin was one of the performers at the event held in Medicine Hat, Alta. Here is the song she wrote and performed especially for the ride at the event:

“A lot of young people today are afraid to talk about mental illness because of the stigma that’s attached to it, so we gathered up some musician friends, and hopped on our bicycles and rode across the country to stop the stigma. To let people know it’s OK to talk about mental illness.”

– Bill Werthmann talking on CKCU’s Canadian Spaces

Recent media mentions have covered the concerts in the Capital Region, the upcoming show in Fredericton and the weekly Alberta update:

Ottawa & Perth CKCU Radio

On Saturday morning’s CKCU Canadian Spaces show in Ottawa, Lynn Miles co-hosted with Chris White a wonderful two hours of folk music and discussion around mental health.

Hillary’s father, and rider, Bill Werthmann was interviewed on the show, as was musician David Francey, who was performing that evening at a concert in McDonald’s Corner in aid of the Ride.

Listen to the whole two hour show, or skip ahead to minute 59 for Bill and minute 73 for David. Lynn Miles performs a couple of live songs in the first hour:

Canadian Spaces – June 22, 2013

Fredericton Daily Gleaner

The Daily Gleaner – June 21, 2013

The Daily Gleaner ran a wonderful article written by Lori Gallagher, on the ride and cause in their June 21, 2013 issue:

Remembering Hillary

Bill Werthmann is biking across Canada in memory of his daughter Hillary, who committed suicide 10 years ago
By LORI GALLAGHER

On May 8, Bill Werthmann began a journey that will take him across Canada, raising money and awareness about youth depression and suicide.

The former Frederictonian is biking from Victoria, B.C., to St. Johns, N.L., in memory of his daughter Hillary, holding fundraising concerts at different stops along the way.

Read the full article (pdf file)

Deseronto Concert coverage in the Napanee Guide

The Napanee Guide had a concert preview to the Deseronto concert. Meghan Balogh wrote a piece that looked at how the charities we’ve partnered with will benefit:

Hillary’s Ride aims to support small groups working at promoting mental health and reaching out to those with mental illness.

“The smaller ones we think are more in need of some of that funding.”

Read the full article

Weekly update on CJSR, Edmonton

Bill once again updated Edmontonians on his weekly CJSR interview, his seventh update. This week he talked about how having conversations about mental health, to any age group, will enable youth to get the help they need, by reducing the stigma around it:

As the morning sun rises over Peterborough, Ont., the riders are starting their busiest weekend of the entire journey.

After arriving in Madoc this evening (Friday), they’ll be heading straight to Deseronto for their concert at John McNeill’s Place with performances from Roger Law, The Kim Pollard Band, Fred Werthman and Bill Werthmann. Our partner charity will be Mental Health Support Network.

Then tomorrow (Saturday), they’ll ride into Perth for the concert at the Mera School House in McDonald’s Corner, with David Francey and friends. The partner charity here will be the Kid’s Help Phone.

They ride into Ottawa on Sunday, followed by a concert on Monday evening (after a well deserved ‘rest day’ in the Capital) at Greenfields in Nepean. Performing are Lynn Miles, Sneezy Waters, Ball & Chain, Maria Hawkins, Bobby Watt,Keith Glass, Greg Werthman and Brock Zeman. The support charity, Parents’ Lifelines of Eastern Ontario, will be available to talk about their essential services.

And they’re doing all of this without their support driver Al, who has popped home for a weekend wedding.

To get all the details on this busy weekend, make sure you follow the riders on various media. Here are some of the upcoming and recent highlights:

• On Saturday morning Lynn Miles will co-host the Canadian Spaces folk show with Chris White on Ottawa community station CKCU, and will also be joined by David Francey, Keith Glass and our own Bill Werthmann to talk about the weekend’s events. Make sure you’re listening on 93.1 FM in Ottawa, or online at 10am (Eastern). (An archive will be available to listen to after the broadcast). (Note: An earlier version of this post incorrectly said the show started at 11am – sorry about that error – it’s 10am)
• Tonight hear Bill Werthmann on Andy Donnelly’s Celtic Show on Alberta’s CKUA Radio.
• Bill did his weekly update with Edmonton’s CJSR yesterday, where they talked about the musical events along the ride’s route:
  
• The Algoma News did a nice story on the ride earlier this week.
• Thanks to the Davy Lake Campground & Resort, in Ignace, for the well-wishes on your website.