Ride in aid of Trans-Help Foundation

OVER 100 riders turned out to support the 2016 Trans-Help Foundation Ride, February 27.

Event organiser Bruce Dodds said, “It’s our third year with the community of like minded riders giving their support.

“We hope it will become a national awareness weekend.”

Tex and Bundy also lent their support. With a delighted crowd farewell, the ‘Dog on the bike’ took lead position.

“We are happy to help such a worthy cause,” Tex said.

Many riders came from Northern N.S.W. and interstate, some saying they enjoyed riding to-and-from the ride as much as the final event on the day.

Many truck drivers use motorcycling as a means of stress relief, and riders being a social bunch soon got together to enjoy the run. Starting in Lake Albert, near Wagga Wagga, the route took in the Truckies Memorial at Tarcutta, then wound its way through the Snowy Mountains, via Adelong and Tumut, before heading into the back hills around Junee then back to Wagga Wagga for a total distance of about 300 kilometres.

The Trans-Help Foundation was formed to assist and support transport personnel suffering from post traumatic stress disorder and families during times of crisis arising from fatalities.

“We want everyone to know about us and never need us, rather than one day, need us and not know about us,” Mr Dodds said.

The service offers preventative health measures, using three mobile vans that provide testing for blood pressure and diabetes.

Conditions like depression, fatigue, sleep apnoea, and obesity are over represented in the industry and the service also includes support for drivers suffering from them.

Wagga Wagga has one of the highest suicide rates in Australia and transport workers are, again, over represented.

Trans-Help Foundation offers advice services dealing with representation to insurers, superannuation, counselling, funerals, and grief management. The organisation is privately funded through events like the ride, and a number of major sponsors including B.P., Iveco, and Royans Wagga Wagga.

Diane Carroll is the Chief Executive of Trans-Help, she started the organisation after seeing grieving families at a truckie funeral.

Carroll lacked support when she lost her husband to a road fatality, deciding to make a difference and create the Trans-Help Foundation.

There is an ‘online roadhouse’ for affected drivers to talk, and the 1300 787 996 number as well. “the support is there now.” Ms Carroll said. “We’re always, happy to help.”

With a fair day, a wonderful turnout and an excellent ride, good work was achieved and everyone had fun doing it. Special thanks to Bruce Dodds and Lesly Court for providing accommodation, food, drink, and great company. Roll on next year!

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