selectability & Team Jefferson join forces to raise money and awareness for mental health

It’s World Bicycle Day and to coincide, leading mental wellbeing organisation, selectability, has joined forces with local cycling crew, Team Jefferson, to raise funds and awareness for mental health and together they’re taking their message Coast 2 Coast in an effort to break a cycling record.

The partnership draws on selectability’s commitment to improving the mental wellbeing of regional Queenslanders through its Bike Shed and Team Jefferson’s goal of riding from Cottesloe Beach (WA to the steps of the Sydney Opera House (NSW) to raise awareness for mental health while beating the current record.

seletability’s Chief Operating Officer Aaron Farrell said the organisation’s values and purpose closely aligned with Team Jefferson’s so partnering to support the Coast 2 Coast ride and promote the Bike Shed was an easy decision.

“We’re really excited to partner with Team Jefferson to raise money and awareness for mental health while supporting the crew to achieve a new cycling record!”

“We hope that through this initiative we can encourage people to seek the support they need to and raise funds to continue to our important work through the Bike Shed.”

Experienced multi-sport athlete and helicopter rescue crewman, Allan Jefferson, said he had used his reputation as a fierce competitor to take on various cycling challenges and raise funds for a national project to support the mental health of first responders.

“In my role I have seen firsthand the impacts that this kind of work can have on the mental wellbeing of emergency service personnel so working on this national project was very important for the team.”

“We are passionate about mental health and suicide prevention so when the project finished we decided to look for a local cause to support.

“Working with selectability and its Bike Shed initiative is an obvious fit … we get to combine our passion for cycling with a cause that is very close to our hearts.

“Plus bikes are free to ride, brilliant for your physical and mental health and are a great way to get where you’re going,” said Mr Jefferson.

 Apart from raising funds and awareness for mental health, the Coast 2 Coast record attempt ride is an opportunity for team Jefferson to beat the existing record - held by Ultra Cyclist Christoph Strasser who completed the ride in six days, ten hours and 58 minutes in 2017.

 Departing Perth on 21 August 2021, the 3942 kilometre Coast 2 Coast race route will be divided into 4 stages, each approximately 1000 km long.