Members of O’Brien Electrical and Plumbing, and Laser Plumbing and Electrical recently presented a cheque for $55,000 to Beyond Blue, the proceeds of a 3,500km bike ride through Victoria and South Australia in June.

The 25 plumbers and electricians, from Australian and New Zealand branches of the business, stopped off in 30 townships during the ride which saw the group ride through hail and snow.

In addition to the money raised for Beyond Blue, the New Zealand tradies also raised for $15,000 for Lifeline.

This was the third ride of O’Brien and Laser since 2014 when tradies rode to the Gold Coast on recycled postie bikes. In 2017, they rode from Melbourne to Cairns. The group has raised $330,000 for charity with another $80,000 raised in 2015 when the group walked the Kokoda track.

The event started initially as a way for both business owners to escape the stresses of business and talk to other men with a common interest but developed into regular catch-ups.

Mark Hailes from Laser Electrical Lilydale says: “In talking, we found that many of us had experienced issues with anxiety and depression and we wanted to do something about it. We never thought that the ride would grow to what it has become, but we’re glad it has as it means people are understanding the importance of talking about your problems. For us, that is the most important part of the ride.”

Recent figures from Beyond Blue show that eight people in Australia take their lives every day, six of them being men. Suicide is the leading cause of death for men between the age of 15 to 44. One-in-five men experience anxiety and one-in-eight experience depression in their lifetime.

Mark says: “These statistics are very real for us. They relate directly to our main workforce demographic. Add to these numbers, the statistics in the construction industry, pressure on small business owners and apprentices, these numbers really hit home for us. These are people who make up our business and who we want to ensure go home happy and mentally healthy every night.”

He adds that raising funds and awareness for Beyond Blue is important to the team as sometimes professional help is needed, and that requires funding.

“Equally important is getting men to open up and talk and that is something we have been really moved to see happen on these rides.”

Plans are already underway for a 5,000km ride through New Zealand next year, but learning from the experience of the Victorian Winter, the tradies are planning to ride in February!