Over the weekend, Yorkton became another stop in the Rolling Barrages cross-country journey.
The Rolling Barrage is an annual cross-Canada motorcycle ride with the premise to fight the stigma of PTSD and raise funds for programs or organizations that help CAF members, veterans, and first responders get treatment to live with the mental injuries they received from their service to Canada and their communities.
Paul Harman, the national executive chairperson for the 2021 Rolling Barrage, said they decided to add Yorkton to their route after a successful year last year.
“We stopped here last year and got a good response, so with communities that are supportive of our work and of the event, we try to put them back onto the schedule,” he said. “Yorkton showed us a lot of love last year and this year.”
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 77 donated $500 to the Rolling Barrage, which Harman said will go directly to helping those in need.
“Where we focus our money on currently is on some of the grassroots organizations that are out there like Rallypoint Retreat in Nova Scotia. These are retreats where veterans and first responders can go and relax.”
Harman said that the ride itself could also be very beneficial for people.
“There is a therapeutic piece to this, and that’s why we focus on getting people to ride for at least a couple days, it takes a bit to learn who everybody is, and when people find out that I have a similar bond with this person, then they start to open up,” he said. “I’ve actually watched people open up that haven’t in therapy, so we do have a therapeutic value. You don’t see a motorcycle outside a psychiatrist’s office.”
The next stop for the group is Saskatoon, followed by Red Deer. Harman adds that if you want to support them, join the ride, or just talk with the group, you can visit www.therollingbarrage.com to check out the stops and routes and register if you can join them on the ride.
