John Tesh

7:00pm - 1:00am

519-537-1047

BRYAN ADAMS/MEL C

WHEN YOU'RE GONE

Download

Listen Live Listen Live HD2

Riding In His Memory

Friday, 9 June 2017 07:13

Photo Courtesy CMHA Oxford "Left to right: Matt Paton, Jocelyn Paton, Leanne Paton, Jessica Paton, George Paton"

"When we talked about doing Ride Don’t Hide it made sense immediately. Our family and friends have overwhelmed us with support.”

WOODSTOCK - CMHA Oxford has announced their community champion team for the third annual Ride Don't Hide - the Paton family.

Executive Director Mike McMahon explains why they decided to honour the Patons on Sunday June 25th.

"This ride is about more than fundraising. They've been willing to be open about their mental health journey as a family and their experiences together; both the challenges and the tragedies that sometimes happen within families that nobody knows about." The CMHA says that by being so open the family is helping to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide.

George Paton passed away in the fall. The family will be riding and spreading their message about mental health in his memory.

Nephew Chad Paton says 20 - 30 family members have joined their team to make it all happen.

"We decided to do a Ride Don't Hide together as a family. We are a really close family; most of us are still from Woodstock so we thought it would be a good way to honour him."

In a press release Matt Paton says he hopes they can help raise awareness.

“We really wanted to do something this year, an event or other recognition in memory/celebration for my dad. When we talked about doing Ride Don’t Hide it made sense immediately. Our family and friends have overwhelmed us with support.”

CMHA Oxford would like to raise $45,000 to help support community funded initiatives like Walk in Counselling. The Paton family has set a team goal of $5,000. According to their fundraising page they are sitting just under $4,400.

Registration costs $35 with the exception of kids 12 and under.

Click here for more information.

More from Local News

Dairy Capital Run Returns to Discovery Farm Woodstock

All of the proceeds will help purchase fetal monitors for the Maternal Care Department at the Woodstock Hospital.
LPS Officer from Woodstock Charged by OPP

The 35-year-old LPS Constable was off-duty when he was charged with impaired driving.
Golf Carts Stolen and Damaged in Ingersoll

Someone damaged one golf cart and stole another sometime between 3:30 a.m. and 4:00 a.m. yesterday.
Rural Engagement Survey Closing Soon

You have until May 1st to fill out the Oxford County Library's Rural Engagement Survey.
Tickets Available for Woodstock Mayor's Breakfast

Mayor Jerry Acchione will deliver his State of the City address and take questions from the audience.
Oxford MP Responds to Federal Budget

"Canadians want real action, not over promises funded by their credit cards." - Oxford MP Arpan Khanna
Norfolk OPP Briefs - April 17th

A pair of stolen vehicles in Norfolk County has OPP looking for answers.
Gas Hike on the Horizon for Ontario

Gas prices could be going up 14 cents a litre in Ontario and Quebec.
Crime Stoppers Launches Virtual Jail & Bail Fundrasier

You can pay to bail the culprits out of jail or keep them in.
Impaired Driver Busted in Ingersoll

OPP officers arrested an impaired driver while they were on foot patrol in the Thames Street area.
Local Realtor Wins National Realtors Care Award

Kelly Byers is a local realtor who is known for her volunteer efforts in Oxford County.
Budget 2024 Tabled in Ottawa

The Opposition Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois will not be supporting it, while the NDP is undecided.
Local U18 Girls Hockey Teams Wins Gold

It was the ending to the season the U18 B Woodstock Wildcats wanted. They came home provincial champions.
OPP Investigate Mischief in SWOX

Damage to farm equipment has Oxford OPP investigating. The incident took place last month between the 1st and 21st.
WPS Searching for Stolen Truck

A truck was stolen from a business in Woodstock. The incident took place this past Saturday.
UPDATE: Suspect Arrested in Delhi

There was a Norfolk OPP presence in the areas of Gibralter Street in Delhi.
OCL to Celebrate Oxford Local History Day

Events are planned at the Ingersoll library and the Tillsonburg library this Saturday.
OCNVA Receives Grant to Support Fishing Derbies

The funding will help purchase more and feed the fish in the pond outside the Navy Club.
Introducing eDash at TDMH and Alexandra Hospital

eDash is an electronic patient access and flow dashboard.
Federal Budget Day on Parliament Hill

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will present the federal budget at 4:00 p.m.