Laser Group has partnered with beyondblue to raise funds and awareness about the impact of mental health in the workplace.  Laser tradies are taking to the road for Mental Health Plumbers while electricians from the Laser Group will ride from Melbourne to Cairns in June for the cause.

Around 30 tradies are expected to undertake the ride with managing director, Steve Keil and multiple Bathurst champion and Laser ambassador, Steve Richards. Planning for the road trip has been underway since last year and members from the Laser Group will be raising funds for the cause before the group leaves.

The Laser Group has raised over $250,000 for beyondblue in the last three years and is passionate about supporting the work the charity does.

“It’s predicted that over 45% of Australians will suffer from depression, anxiety or some other debilitating mental health issue in their lifetime. The stats also highlight that construction workers are more than twice as likely to suicide as other people in Australia. That’s our workplace and we’re not happy about the numbers, so we’re doing what we can to raise funds and awareness by supporting beyondblue,” says Steve.

Reports from Price Waterhouse Coopers and The National Rural Health Alliance found those working in construction were more than twice as likely to suicide as other people in Australia, with apprentices being two and a half times more likely to suicide than other young men their age.

Laser Electrical Lilydale managing director Mark Hailes will be leading the charge for the ride to Cairns. The electrician and business owner is an avid motorbike rider and wanted to find a way he could help the work of beyondblue and engage the help of his mates at the same time.

“I grew up watching Dad struggle with depression and hated feeling like there was nothing I could do to help. The success of the Postie Bike Challenge in 2014 where we raised $127,000 for the work of beyondblue showed me what we could achieve as a group and motivated me to do more,” says Mark.

“But this event is about more than just raising funds and awareness for beyondblue. Just as important is that on the ride, we get blokes talking, something which we know blokes simply don’t do enough.”

The group will leave Melbourne on Tuesday 6 June, stopping in Wagga Wagga, Dubbo, Armidale, Lismore, Bundaberg, Mackay and Townsville before finishing in Cairns.

Fundraising events will be held throughout the ride with the Laser Group hoping to present the proceeds to beyondblue in July. Donations can be made at: http://www.beyondbluefundraising.org.au/event/2017lasergroupmonkeyoffyourback