Sally's Ride

Our Children - Our Future

Supporting research into youth suicide in Tasmania

Sally Fletcher is a registered nurse who created and implemented the "Sally's Ride" project in 2002 specifically to promote life, to prevent suicide in young Tasmanians and to increase community awareness. Sally has cycled solo around Tasmania in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008 with a 6th ride in the planning stages for later in 2009. In 2002, Sally cycled 1400 kilometers solo and donated the money to a local youth suicide prevention project.

In 2003 and with the support of the Rotary Club of South Launceston and a matching Grant from the Australian Rotary Health Research Fund (ARHRF), Sally raised $27,000. Professor Ken Kirkby, head of the Department of Psychiatry University of Tasmania, was awarded the research grant. In November 2005 and again in 2007 Sally cycled over 1,000 kilometers in 7 days each year and raised another amazing $27,000 in 2005 and $53,000 in 2007 with the support of the Rotary Club of Central Launceston and the ARHRF. Professor Ken Kirkby was the recipient of these partnership grants to continue investigating youth suicide in Tasmania. Money raised form the 2008 ride,$29,500, will be matched by the ARHRF and applications for the grant will be advertised for in October 08.

As a result of Sally's efforts in 2003, 2005, and 2007, the ARHRF matching grant and the support and partnership of the Rotary Club of Central Launceston, a research team headed by Professor Ken Kirkby at the University of Tasmania, implemented the "yshareit" project www.yshareit.com which fosters peer networking utilizing internet mental health resources. The research team has conducted youth workshops throughout Tasmania for around 130 youth ambassadors. The second stage is the current evaluation in schools of a ‘virtual youth ambassador’ program using interactive multimedia technology online, jointly funded by Rotary and beyondblue. This targets schools in rural and regional areas. This project aims to foster community engagement in youth mental health issues, supported by high quality internet resources – harnessing the power of people and accessible resources.

The Rotary funding for yshareit has been spent entirely in Tasmania. In addition to the money raised directly by Sally’s ride, the Rotary health fund has contributed matching funds from donations raised throughout Australia. External funding of yshareit by beyondblue has contributed a further 100,000 dollars. All of these funds are spent in Tasmania on health research directed at better support  and outcomes for those suffering from mental and emotional disorders.

When Sally created her ride project and the partnership with the ARHRF, she specifically wanted the research to be carried out in Tasmania and implementation of local projects for young Tasmanians. Through Sally's efforts, young Tasmanians have already benefited and will continue to benefit from the money raised, the support of local projects and the results of research. Sally's objectives are now to involve the youth and the Tasmanian community as a whole in her project.

The 2008 Ride, with support and sponsorship from the Rotary Club of Central Launceston, focused on youth and community participation. Forestry Tasmania and Southern Cross Television corporate cycling challenge from Hobart to Campbelltown, schools participation throughout the Ride, Sponsors' days, The Red Herring Surf 3 Day East Coast Ride, youth and family events including Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees (TPT) Northern Tasmanian Youth Day in Launceston, TPT Campbelltown Community Ride, and TPT Glenorchy Community Ride. The community cycled with Sally on the "41 Degrees Ride to Bridport" followed by a BBQ and party. For further information on the upcoming 2009 ride please email Sally mustangfletch@sallysride.org