By Joseph Weathered (photos and text)
On Sunday, September 17th, Bridges Healthcare held their annual “Folks on Spokes” charity bike ride and Walk for Suicide Awareness. Over 320 riders and walkers took part in the event, which also celebrated the 25th anniversary of the event.
Cyclists enjoyed a sonic trail around the Connecticut shoreline, with distances of 20, 40, 50 and a 66 mile “Metric Century” ride. The Suicide Awareness walk was a 3.1 mile walk along the Milford shoreline, from Fort Trumbull Point and return.
Bridges Director of Fund Development and Communications Marcy Hotchkiss said that the event “is a community tradition; people look forward to it every year. We have riders that have been coming back year after year for the experience and also to support their fellow friends, family, neighbors who are struggling with a mental illness or an addiction. That’s what this is all about; we’re here to show support, raise some funds but also raise awareness for mental health and suicide awareness.”
To learn more about Bridges Healthcare, please visit http://www.bridgesct.org