Tour de Bleu cyclists move mental health forward by raising $3.75 million for CAMH
TORONTO, Aug. 13, 2018 /CNW/ - Tour de Bleu, a 160-kilometre private cycling event hosted by the Peter Gilgan Foundation and Mattamy Homes, has raised $3.75 million to support the development of the new Tour de Bleu Therapeutic Neighborhood at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH).
"We are deeply grateful for the generosity of The Peter Gilgan Foundation and Tour de Bleu riders" said Deborah Gillis, President and CEO of the CAMH Foundation. "The funds raised by Tour de Bleu will help create a warm engaging space where patients can focus on full, whole-person recovery".
In 2017, CAMH broke ground on the McCain Complex Care and Recovery Building, adding modern and dignified spaces that promote healing and break down stigma to its growing campus.
This year, Tour de Bleu riders and sponsors will help create the centerpiece of this building: the Tour de Bleu Therapeutic Neighbourhood. This will be a shared space where patients will learn the skills they need for life beyond CAMH, and will include programming such as sports and exercise activities, a teaching kitchen, music and art spaces, and educational spaces where patients and their families will learn about mental illness and recovery.
"We are delighted to be partnering with CAMH on this important initiative. We feel it is essential that we add our voices to the growing chorus of Canadians who are beginning to understand the prevalence, and importance of dealing with, mental health challenges," said Peter Gilgan, Founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes. "Knowing that the Tour de Bleu Therapeutic Neighbourhood will be there for people as they transition out of their time at CAMH brings me, and all of our riders, an immense sense of pride."
Now in its 14th year, the Tour has raised over $16 million for notable charities such as SickKids Hospital, Trillium Health Centre, William Osler Health Centre, Markham/Stouffville Hospital, the Mattamy National Cycling Centre, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and most recently, Women's College Hospital Foundation.
This is the first year that CAMH will be beneficiary of this unique fundraising event.
About Tour de Bleu
Tour de Bleu is an annual private cycling fundraiser founded in 2005 by philanthropist Peter Gilgan, Founder and CEO of Mattamy Homes. Since its launch, Tour de Bleu has raised over $17 million in support of key initiatives at Toronto-area hospitals as well as for the Mattamy National Cycling Centre in Milton, Ontario.
The Peter Gilgan Foundation
The Peter Gilgan Foundation is a private foundation created by philanthropist and business leader Peter Gilgan. Donations totaling more than $150 million have been directed to a variety of causes, including health and wellness, recreation and active lifestyles, educational institutions, international development and environmental protection. The Peter Gilgan Foundation's current focus is on children, youth, and families, as well as environmental protection and international development. Visit www.petergilganfoundation.org for more information.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is Canada's largest mental health and addiction teaching hospital and a world leading research centre in this field. CAMH combines clinical care, research, education, policy development and health promotion to help transform the lives of people affected by mental illness and addiction. CAMH is fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization Collaborating Centre. For more information, please visit camh.ca or follow @CAMHnews on Twitter.
SOURCE Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Stephanie D'Lima, Senior Manager, Communications, CAMH Foundation, [email protected]
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