Overwhelming response on the rode2recovery
Supporters welcome R2R riders at the completion of their cycle.
Thank you all for coming and sharing your life experiences with us. I could not imagine how hard it would have been to open up and tell us what you have been through … this has made me look at life differently and say no to people who offer me drugs or alcohol …
– high school student via Facebook
When eight current clients and one recent graduate of The Salvation Army’s Miracle Haven Recovery Services Centre at Morriset, NSW decided to cycle 1000km in 12 days as part of an awareness campaign, they had no idea of the profound impact their stories would have.
The group visited 15 schools as part of their rode2recovery (R2R) ride, speaking about the devastating reality of addiction to 2000 young people.
After the first talk, one team member received a “deeply moving” message from a student whose whole family was in the grip of addiction, but who now had hope that there was another way to live. Many similar stories followed.
“When we set out we did not know if we would ever be able to determine if what we were doing would work, but we began to get feedback from both teachers and students after our first school,” says R2R coordinator and Miracle Haven case worker Mark Gambrill. “This continued throughout the whole ride.”
The ride began at Miracle Haven, travelled through the Hunter, Upper Hunter, New England, and Port Macquarie before finishing at The Salvation Army’s Dooralong Transformation Centre on 27 October. The team has already been invited back to speak to the majority of schools visited and has also been invited to three new schools.
“The ride has worked on so many different levels and its success and impact on all involved has been so wonderful and has exceeded all expectations,” says Mark.
“As well as being a great way of raising awareness in the community, the ride is an integral part of the men’s own journeys.”
Although originally Mark’s vision, much of the ride was organised by the participants themselves, with a back-up crew of around 10 recovery services clients also working behind the scenes to set up and move camp, cook and drive support vehicles.
The Salvation Army provided an emergency services truck for camp catering, and Miracle Haven staff, a psychologist and chaplain either travelled with or visited the team regularly along the journey.
Almost $3000 was raised on the “everyday hero” fundraising site, which Mark says will be used to reimburse catering costs.
“We didn’t want this to cost the Salvos anything because they’ve done so much for the guys and they were really keen to be able to fund this themselves,” says Mark.
As well as bike donations from local businesses and police, the team also raised around $5000 prior to the ride to cover costs of equipment such as tents and mattresses.
A further $5000 was donated by a graduate of the recovery services program who is passionate about warning young people about the dangers of addiction.
Plans are already underway to make R2R an annual or even biannual event and the possibility of rolling out a similar program throughout the Army’s Australia Eastern Territory is being explored.
”From the impact we’ve had, I believe it could be a full-time program,” says Mark. “I think it needs to be. We were talking to 15 and 16-year-old kids and the numbers that put their hands up when the guys asked who was using alcohol and drugs was really scary!”
To donate, visit everydayhero.com.au/rode2recovery, and like rode2recovery on Facebook for updates and photos from the tour.
Comments
I was able to witness the positive changes in the kids attitudes toward the men sharing their story first hand. Unfortunately many do not know how serious their early drug use is and how badly it can affect their lives. These men who are changing their lives for the better have been inspired to give back to society and help those who could go into addiction down the track. The men always said if we can save one life then its been worth it. Not only have the kids in the schools grown from the men visiting but also each of them as well as the staff have grown immensely. It was a blessing to be part of and I hope to be part of many more. They couldn't have done it without God and the help of the Salvos. Congratulations men!