- 6-time Olympian Clara Hughes completes her incredible 110-day
bike journey around Canada on July 1
in the nation's capital
- Clara to be featured during Canada
Day celebrations on Parliament Hill
- Visit Clara's Celebration Plaza in Major's Hill Park to learn
more about her epic journey
OTTAWA, June 3, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Clara Hughes will ride into Ottawa on Canada
Day, completing her epic, 110-day bike journey around Canada
to grow the mental health conversation and help create a nation
free of the stigma around mental illness.
Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk began on March 14 in Toronto and will have visited at least 95
communities in every province and territory before concluding in
Ottawa on July 1. Clara has been welcomed by thousands of
Canadians while visiting schools, youth organizations and community
groups from coast to coast to coast.
Today, Clara is riding from Vegreville to Lloydminster, Alberta on Day 82 of the Big
Ride. She has already ridden more than 7,600 kilometers through 8
provinces and all 3 territories.
"I can't wait to ride into Ottawa to celebrate Canada's birthday and
share the story of this amazing journey I've taken with Canadians
everywhere," said Clara. "I've met so many new people and a lot of
old friends during the Big Ride, like the people here in
Alberta who've been so welcoming
and open with their mental health stories. We're having a great
conversation about how we can achieve a Canada that's free of the
stigma around mental illness. And I hope to see you in Ottawa on July 1
to keep the conversation going as we celebrate Canada Day!"
Clara will be welcomed by The Honourable Shelly Glover, Minister
of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages and the honourary
Clara's Big Ride Community Champion for Ottawa during the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.
Clara's Celebration Plaza in Major's Hill Park
Join us
at Clara's Celebration Plaza to celebrate the Big Ride and learn
how you can help create a Canada free of the stigma of mental
illness. See the wonderful collection of gifts, artifacts and
mementos from around the country that have been given to Clara
during her Big Ride, and enjoy the entertainment on the Bell
Stage.
"We are so proud of Clara and her unwavering commitment to
mental health and to creating a stigma-free Canada," said
Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's
Talk. "We thank all our partners in communities across Canada for
their support and look forward to celebrating the success of
Clara's incredible journey on Canada
Day."
Share in Clara's Big Ride
Everyone can participate in
the Clara's Big Ride through community events and social media.
Please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide or follow the latest Ride news
on Twitter at @Bell_LetsTalk or on Facebook at
Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk.
Clara's Big Ride is powered by our National Partners – Aimia,
BMO, Canadian Tire, Cisco, Lundbeck, President's Choice and Samsung
– who are providing significant support for the Ride. For more
information, please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide/Partners.
Bell Let's Talk
Bell Let's Talk promotes
Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma
campaigns, like Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's
Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and
access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please
visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.
SOURCE Bell Canada