Mental Health Charity Stunt: cycling as far as I can in 24h

Video at the bottom of this page, if you prefer listening instead of reading!

1. Background

We all have mental health. Sometimes our mental health is good, and sometimes we all go through challenges of varying degrees.

Unfortunately, a large number of Europeans feel like their mental health has not been that great lately, and they cannot access sufficient support.

• Even before the Pandemic 1 in 6 Europeans suffered from mental health conditions (OECD data).

• More recently, 46% of the people in the EU reported they had experienced emotional or psychosocial problems in the past 12 months, such as feeling depressed or anxious (Eurobarometer 2023).

• Things seem to be especially tricky for young people. 49% of Europeans aged 15-29 declared they have unmet needs in mental health care (Health at a Glance: Europe 2022).

✨ Better mental health support is needed. I am organizing a charity stunt to help, and you can join! ✨

2. The Charity Stunt

My name is Jonne. I'm a guy from Finland who is interested in mental health and enjoys a good bike ride.

Starting on 17th of May I will bike for 24 hours, with minimal breaks. I will start from Amsterdam and head south towards Belgium and France.

On my cycling trip I am joined by my trustworthy single-gear Swapfiets bike, a couple of podcasts, and a backpack full of peanut butter sandwiches.

3. The goal

The goal is to bike as far as I can within the 24 hours. My personal goal is 300 kilometers, but let's see what adventures the journey brings. At the end of the 24 hours, I will donate 1€ for each kilometer I have cycled.

4. You can join the ride!

I want you to join the bike ride with me! I will post regular updates from the journey to this GoFundMe page so you can see what is happening. You can also join the ride in spirit. Whether you resonate with the fundraising goal, find the updates interesting, or think the whole thing is silly - please consider donating to the cause. Every bit helps!

5. The Fundraising Target

The proceeds go to a EU-funded organization called Mental Health Europe. Mental Health Europe "strives to protect the rights of persons with psychosocial disabilities, to promote positive mental health, to prevent mental health problems, and to improve mental health care and social inclusion." In short, the organization aims to improve mental health in Europe. You can read more about the organization by following this link Mental Health Europe.

I hope that by spinning my bicycle wheels around Europe you will be inspired to donate, the donations help with mental health work, and that work reduces the amount of negative feelings spinning around Europeans' heads!

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The idea of the fundraiser explained in a video:

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I am organizing this charity stunt on my own. This charity event or GoFundMe page is not officially affiliated with Mental Health Europe.

The donations are sent to Mental Health Europe in full. The only deduction is the processing fee GoFundMe charges.