A Peloton of Celebrities to Ride Out of the Blue

In March of this year mother and lawyer Alison Blyth, motivated by the death of her family members and her own experience of depression, led a group of courageous cyclists in the inaugural Ride Out of the Blue.

Over their 27 day journey they used nothing but pedal power and determination to travel from Bluff to Cape Reinga encouraging discussion about mental health and suicide along the way celebrating life while raising over $30,000 for the Mental Health Foundation.

Encouraged by Alison’s personal story and the success of the Ride, high-profile New Zealand actor Aidee Walker (Outrageous Fortune, Nothing Trivial) decided to put together a team of cyclists, including some of the country’s top actors and writers, to continue the Ride Out of the Blue legacy in 2012.

“I was so inspired by what Alison and her crew of riders achieved that I was determined to make sure Ride Out of the Blue happened again” says Aidee Walker. “It is such a fun and unique way to raise awareness and funds for something that affects so many New Zealanders.”

Ride Out of the Blue will depart Bluff on 25 February 2012 and as the riders travel north they will be involved in a number of exciting events along the way.

“With this week being Mental Health Awareness Week, we are excited to announce that Aidee Walker will lead the Ride Out of the Blue event in 2012” says Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation. “We are looking forward to the 2012 event as the Ride was hugely successful in March of this year, not only in financially terms but also as a way to promote positive mental health messages.”

Ride Out of the Blue is open to anyone for either the entire challenge or individual legs and to date Aidee has commitment from at least fifteen others to join her including Shortland Street and Almighty Johnson’s actor Michelle Langstone , Renee Lyons from Super City, award winning playwright Pip Hall, fashion designer Tamzin Hawkins and Outrageous Fortune’s Antonia Prebble.

To find out more about the Ride Out of the Blue or to get involved visit
www.mentalhealth.org.nz/rideoutoftheblue or email rideoutoftheblue@gmail.com

YouTube promo clip -

Fundraising page - http://www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/RideOutoftheBlue2012/