The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is held annually in March across 4.5 days with riders covering over 700kms on their way from Albany to Perth to raise funds and awareness for Youth Focus. While cycling through towns in WA’s South West, Great Southern and Wheatbelt the riders visit high schools to engage with students on the importance of positive mental health.
The purpose of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth is to raise funds and awareness for Youth Focus and youth mental health.
The vision of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth is to cultivate a community that’s fun, safe and promotes better mental health among young West Australians.
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth has a strong legacy and history, and its Strategic Plan 2023-26 will help shape the next chapter in this important event’s story.
View the Strategy Summary here.
25 March 2019
30 March 2019
131kms
23 March 2021
131kms
24 March 2021
152kms
25 March 2021
26 March 2021
157kms
23 March 2021
123kms
24 March 2021
102kms
25 March 2021
140kms
23 March 2021
134kms
24 March 2021
110kms
25 March 2021
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth began in 2003 when a small group of recreational cyclists decided to combine their resources and raise funds for Youth Focus to support youth mental health.
Knowing that each and every suicide affects hundreds of people; families, friends and neighbours, the riders felt this issue was a concern the whole community needed to address.
Incredibly, from humble beginnings the event has raised more than $31 million to support Youth Focus in assisting young Western Australians experiencing mental health challenges.
The Hawaiian Ride for Youth is Youth Focus’ largest fundraising event. Since its inception in 2003 the Ride has raised more than $31 million for Youth Focus (see table below). In 2009 the Ride won the Special Events’ category of the Fundraising Institute of Australia’s (FIA) National Awards for Excellence in Fundraising and in 2012 and 2015 the Ride won the Best Charity Event at the Australian Event Awards.
| Year | Number of Riders | Fundraising Total |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 24 | $150,000 |
| 2004 | 29 | $309,000 |
| 2005 | 38 | $350,000 |
| 2006 | 40 | $515,000 |
| 2007 | 40 | $560,000 |
| 2008 | 40 | $665,000 |
| 2009 | 36 | $458,000 |
| 2010 | 44 | $748,000 |
| 2011 | 50 | $941,000 |
| 2012 | 93 | $2,016,708 |
| 2013 | 79 | $1,631,889 |
| 2014 | 109 | $1,947,780 |
| 2015 | 138 | $2,427,698 |
| 2016 | 142 | $2,356,127 |
| 2017 | 173 | $2,526,986 |
| 2018 | 169 | $2,353,559 |
| 2019 | 171 | $2,262,926 |
| 2020 | 161 | $1,919,244 |
| 2021 | 136 | $1,871,539 |
| 2022 | 160 | $3,006,283 |
| 2023 | 160 | $2,346,738 |
| TOTAL FUNDRAISING | $31,385,139 |
The awareness raised for Youth Focus as a result of the Hawaiian Ride for Youth is equally as important as the funds raised. The riders not only create awareness about Youth Focus through their individual fundraising campaigns but also in their local communities and at regional school visits where riders engage with students about the importance of positive mental health.