They're riding 8,000 kilometres for one cause.
Twelve years ago, Kerry and Ginny Dennehy lost their 17-year-old son, Kelty. suffered from depression. His friends, family, doctors and psychologists were never able to manage his illness. In 2001, he took his own life.
Kelty now rests in the Whistler Cemetery and his parents are busy raising awareness and money for mental health. Four months ago, the Whistlerites set off from the Atlantic coast on a bike ride to raise money for the Kelty Patrick Dennehy Foundation. They stopped at 34 communities and raised more than $700,000 to go toward mental health initiatives.
It was quite emotional to finally have made it the whole way. It's been an amazing journey, and amazing in so many different ways; physically, mentally and emotionally, Ginny said.
On Wednesday (Aug. 28), the duo will ride into Squamish, their second to last stop before their journey wraps up.
From 6 to 8 p.m. at the Squamish Youth Resource Centre at 1135 Carson Pl., the Dennehys will share their story from their campaign Enough is Enough. It's all a part of breaking down stigmas associated with mental illness and teaching people about the disease.
The strength of some of these people who would get up and say, 'I suffer from depression and I always did, and I was afraid to tell my employer' was amazing, Ginny said. So I think we're starting to remove that stigma, which I think is so important.
For more information visit www.the keltyfoundation.org.
With files from Brandon Barrett, Whistler Question.
