The Tribal Nations Motorcycle Club and its Riders Against Teen Suicide (Rats) group chose Oamaru this year after rallying to the town in late August following a painful time in the Waitaki community with several suspected youth suicides.
The group’s fundraising ride of about 70 on Saturday was dedicated to Youthline Otago for the second year running.
Tribal Nations spokesman Bruce Hetfield said they had all been touched in some way by suicide.
The Oamaru rally aimed to shed light on the matter — to reinforce that no matter what people struggled with there was someone backing them and that they could turn their lives around.
At the same time Tribal Nations and Rats were "very proud" in 2023 to have raised enough money for Youthline Otago to buy a vehicle.
This had enabled the organisation to offer more support in communities such as Oamaru, Mr Hetfield said.
Mayor Gary Kircher expressed his gratitude and described the youth suicide issue as "just unfair" for those living in the aftermath.
"We’ve suffered a number of losses recently in our district, to mainly young people.
"Anything that can be put in place — an option that can be given to our young people is so important when they are feeling like they have no options," he said.
"Youthline is a really important one."
This included a Youthline counsellor now being based at Oamaru Intermediate.
Youthline Otago general manager Justine Weatherall said what Tribal Nations and Rats achieved "never ceases to amaze me".
"The work you do to raise awareness is invaluable.
"We’re really grateful for the second year running to be recipients."
She said following funding cuts and retrenchment in 2022 Youthline Otago now had a car thanks to Tribal Nations’ sponsorship.
"That car has enabled us to get further afield.
"Now we’re expanding and can come back up into the Waitaki district."
Youthline Otago was one of six Youthline centres across the country, she said.
Each was financially and legally an independent entity, receiving no government funding, corporate sponsorship, or financial support from a national body, Ms Weatherall said.
"We are fully responsible for funding the recruitment, training and ongoing support for all Youthline Otago volunteers who work on the national helpline service.
"While we strive to grow and strengthen our services in a very challenging funding environment, we do rely entirely upon local community funding and support for all services our organisation delivers."
She said Youthline Otago was committed to supporting youth mental health and wellbeing in Waitaki by prioritising affordable and accessible support services in a holistic manner.
This included via the national helpline, personalised professional counselling, proactive community education programmes and volunteer training programmes.
GET HELP
Youthline Otago:
Free call 0800 376 633
Free text 234
Webchat youthline.co.nz
Need to talk? 1737, free 24/7 phone and text number
Healthline: 0800 611-116
Lifeline Aotearoa: 0800 543-354
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828-865 (0508 TAUTOKO)
Samaritans: 0800 726-666
Alcohol Drug Helpline: 0800 787-797
General mental health inquiries: 0800 443-366
The Depression Helpline: 0800 111-757
