Luke’s long ride for Lifeline

MENTAL health advocate Luke Baker is training hard ahead of the massive challenge of riding a bicycle from Western Australia to Bendigo in aid of Lifeline Loddon Mallee.

The Pedalling For Hope ride will begin in Albany on 16 August and will cover 3249 kilometres; one kilometre for every life lost to suicide in Australia in 2022.

Mr Baker plans to arrive in Bendigo on 10 September, which is World Suicide Prevention Day.

A former police officer who has had his own mental health struggles, Mr Baker feels strongly about the issue.

“At one point I almost took my own life, and I understand the importance of having someone to talk to because having that did save my life,” he said.

“For a long time, as a male it was seen as a sign of weakness to talk about your feelings.”

Mr Baker is active in the community, hosting the monthly Mr Perfect barbecues in Bendigo, and he helped out in Rochester after the floods.

He saw locals “at their lowest point.”

“At the time there was a big emphasis on fixing what could be seen, and there didn’t appear to be a huge emphasis on fixing what couldn’t be seen,” he said.

“I thought, what can I do to help people in regional communities take care of their mental health?”

Mr Baker decided to take on a project focusing on suicide statistics, so he approached Lifeline Loddon Mallee which agreed to be the ride’s beneficiary.

Averaging about 155 kilometres a day, Mr Baker will be supported along the way by family and friends.

An official celebration is being organised for when he arrives at the Alexandra Fountain in Bendigo on September 10.

Donations can be made through the ride’s page at mycause.com.au/page/326503/pedalling-for-hope.

Several thousand dollars have already been raised, and donations can also be made directly through the Lifeline Loddon Mallee website.

Visit facebook.com/pedalling.for.hope for more information.