Wildcats great embarks on incredible journey for suicide prevention

The four-time Wildcats NBL champion is setting off from Kununurra on Friday 30 August on a 28-day quest back to Perth, hoping to arrive in the WA capital on Friday 27 September.

Hire, who founded mental health charity A Stitch In Time which is hoping to raise $100,000 during the ride, chose the number of kilometres to pay tribute to the 3249 lives lost to suicide in Australia in 2022.

“Suicide is the leading cause of death for people aged 15-44 years and more than 65,000 Australians make a suicide attempt every year,” Hire said.

“135 people are impacted by the loss of one person as a result of suicide.

“This equates to a staggering 435,366 people in 2022 that were impacted by this tragic outcome.

“Our aim is to fundamentally shift the focus from crisis to prevention.

“Awareness alone is not enough. We create environments that empower people to look after their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

“We achieve this by engaging and education people to develop the tools to look after their mental health, stay healthy and prevent illness, long before reaching crisis.

“A Stitch exists to end suicide.

“Every pedal stroke brings us closer to expanding our outreach, developing vital programs, and providing crucial resources to promote mental well being across Western Australia. Together, we can make a profound impact, save lives, and build a brighter future for countless individuals.”

You can donate to Hire’s inspiring cause here