Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk heads from Deep River to Arnprior today; 1 day to go before Clara arrives on Parliament Hill for Canada Day

• Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston to join Clara on the ride into Arnprior
• Clara to receive the Meritorious Service Cross before completing her unprecedented 110-day bike journey around Canada on Parliament Hill tomorrow

DEEP RIVER, ON, June 30, 2014 /CNW/ - Today, on Day 109 of Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk, Clara Hughes sets out from Deep River for Arnprior, her last stop before concluding the Big Ride on Parliament Hill tomorrow. Accompanying Clara on the ride into Arnprior are Governor General David Johnston and Mrs. Sharon Johnston.

"I'm so honoured that the Governor General and Mrs. Johnston will ride with me to Arnprior as we near the completion of this great journey. Their Excellencies have truly been role models in leading the conversation about Canadian mental health," said Clara. "I want to thank everyone here in Deep River for coming out and joining in the conversation to create a stigma-free Canada. I'm so excited to meet the people of Arnprior next, and looking forward to completing the Big Ride in Ottawa tomorrow. I hope to see you all there for a great Canada Day!"

Their Excellencies will arrive with Clara in Arnprior at approximately 5:45 pm for the "Pre Canada Day Celebration of Mental Health with Clara Hughes" that begins at 5 pm in Robert Simpson Park, 400 John Street North.

At 6:30 pm, Clara will receive the prestigious Meritorious Service Cross (Civil Division) from the Governor General. The decoration recognizes individuals who have performed an exceptional deed or activity that brought honour to Canada.

Clara will join Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill tomorrow afternoon. At 1:05 pm, she will ride onto the Hill and 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.

"Minister Glover and her fellow Big Ride Community Champions all around Canada have played an essential role in the success of the Ride, bringing so many Canadians together to share their stories about mental health and to commit to making their communities, and Canada, free of the stigma around mental illness," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk.

Share in Clara's Big Ride
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

Media inquiries: Jacqueline Michelis, Bell Media Relations, 613 785-1427, [email protected]