Cyclists are gearing up for the annual Ride Don’t Hide fundraiser on Sunday in support of the Canadian Mental Health Association, but this year’s event will be bittersweet for those in Penticton.
Not only will many be riding to raise funds for mental health, but they’ll also be peddling to celebrate the legacy of Jeremy McGoran.
The former radio personality and mental health champion died by suicide two weeks ago.
McGoran also sat on the local board of the CMHA and was the spokesperson for the Penticton Ride Don’t Hide event in 2016.
“We, as a board, are definitely still grieving for sure and we will feel the loss but we also want to honour him,” said President Colleen Caron.
Gripping a poster in his memory, Caron described why she recruited him.
“I listened to Jeremy on his ride home show every day when I drove home from work, and I really admired his courage to come forward.”
The 35-year-old left behind his wife, Mare, and their six-year-old son Thomas.
McGoran spoke publicly and candidly about his struggles with anxiety and depression on his wife’s YouTube channel.
“It wasn’t like I wanted this to happen, I didn’t know what was going on, and it was just very very confusing,” he said in a 2015 video.
He also encouraged people to speak up and not suffer in silence.
“We want to help other people and we know we have a platform to do it.”
This Sunday thousands of participants across Canada will ride to fight the stigma of mental illness one pedal at a time.
Many in the Okanagan will have McGoran on their mind.
“We want to remember Jeremy for how he lived not how he died,” Caron said.
To register for the south Okanagan-Similkameen Ride Don’t Hide event click here.
If you are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for immediate help. Here are some resources available in BC:
- Crisis Centre network in BC – 1-800-SUICIDE (1-800-784-2433)
- Heretohelp.bc.ca
- Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
- For information regarding working through grief after a suicide death
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