Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk helps celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa

Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk helps celebrate Canada Day in Ottawa


-- 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

Bell Canada

CONTACT: Media inquiries: Jacqueline Michelis, Bell Media Relations, 613 785-1427, jacqueline.michelis@bell.ca


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