Founder rides to success

City of Busselton deputy mayor Grant Henley said Mr Andrews’ work ethic and dedication had helped raise significant awareness and funds for depression and suicide prevention.

Mr Henley said Black Dog Ride was Mr Andrews’ “Busselton idea” that had spread to a national and international scale.

Mr Andrews said while it was great to be acknowledged in his hometown, he hoped the recognition would further establish Black Dog Ride’s cause and purpose.

He said it was integral to bringing attention to depression and suicide prevention.

Mr Andrews founded Black Dog Ride in 2009 with a solo motorbike journey across the country, where he raised $34,000 for suicide awareness.

He said although his “epiphany” for the Black Dog Ride came following the suicide of his best friend’s wife, it stemmed from his own mother’s suicide about 21 years ago.

“We weren’t aware until much later that she had suffered from depression and there were a lot of unanswered questions, as there still are, as most people in those circumstances realise,” Mr Andrews said.

“The journey really began back then but the catalyst for getting on the bike in 2009 was the suicide death of my best mate’s wife in 2008.

“That came on top of the fact my oldest daughter suffered from depression from about the age of 15 and also my brother suffered from depression [for] most of his life.”

The Black Dog Ride has since grown from strength to strength and will now head over to the USA in September.

Mr Andrews and 50 Australian motorbike riders will journey from New York to Los Angeles in a 21-day ride aimed at tackling depression and suicide prevention in the US.

Mr Andrews said he “never in his wildest dreams” imagined Black Dog Ride would reach its current position.

“It has grown but it’s not like it has gone from nothing to something straight away, it has grown steadily,” he said.