GOING THE DISTANCE FOR A GOOD CAUSE

COUN. ZEESHAN HAMID TAKING MOTORCYCLE JOURNEY AROUND LAKE SUPERIOR VICTORIA DAY LONG WEEKEND

A Milton councillor is planning to embark on a 3,700-kilometre motorcycle journey around Lake Superior

to raise money in support of mental health.

The route will see Zeeshan Hamid, Ward 4 local and regional councillor, riding his bike on the upcoming Victoria Day long weekend up to Sudbury and continuing to the northern Ontario regions that straddle Lake Superior, going around the lake — and crossing international borders — before heading back to Milton.

Mental health has been a passion of his for years. On his latest fundraising effort for the cause, Hamid said that "it's unique enough to get people excited."

The goal is to raise $6,000 through CanadaHelps, all of which will go toward funding 75 hours of mental health therapy for locals in need. The community donated more than $1,700 within a day.

And so far, the tally is at nearly $5,000, including $2,000 from his own pocket.

"I didn't expect this level of support this quickly," he said. "It's very impressive. I do want to thank the community for the generosity."

All told, the ride will cover 3,686 km — roughly the distance from Milton to the middle of Mexico, he noted. That's no small feat for someone who took up the pastime only two years ago.

"I was dealing with my own mental health during the initial (pandemic) lockdown," he recalled. "I figured I should really do something, at least, to keep myself sane."

For him, riding became a way to reduce stress "because I'm very focused on the task at hand."

"It's not for everyone, but for me, it has helped me a lot," he said.

From talking to different mental health agencies during the pandemic, he learned many organizations had to turn away clients due to the lack of funding.

"It's not for everyone, but for me, it has helped me a lot." - Coun. Zeeshan Hamid

And many people can't afford going to a therapist, which can cost between $120 and $160 an hour, he said.

The collected funds will be directed to organizations that provide the service, which may include Naseeha, a mental health hotline that offers web therapy sessions.

As far as preparation goes, Hamid has been doing more yoga and stretching exercises.

"On the mental side, I'm good to go," he said.

The plan on whether to go solo or with a small group of two or three people has not been finalized yet. But completing the journey will be "a good experience" — and one that he hopes to turn into an annual charity motorcycle ride.