How it started.
Burnt out from his studies at the University of Guelph, Ben decided to bike from Guelph, ON to Halifax, NS in the summer of 2015. He took up the challenge in order to discover more of his country and reconnect with the things he loves most.
Seeing an opportunity to give back to his community, he decided to use the bicycle tour to raise money for mental health. He committed to raising money for the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), one of the country's largest mental health service providers.
Gaining Momentum
Ben launched a grassroots fundraising campaign that pulled in over $10,000, mostly in the form of bar change. In the weeks leading up to his departure Ben stood outside of bars and restaurants in downtown Guelph, providing details about his journey to the crowds.
A nightly staple, his campaign became a hit with Guelph locals, who shared his message on social media. With momentum on his side, he covered 2,000 kilometers in less than three weeks, stopping to make camp in small towns and parks along the way.
2,000 km travelled in 18 days.
Over $10,000 raised for the CMHA.
2019: Newmarket to Vancouver.
Two guys, two bicycles, and a whole lot of Trans-Canada Highway.
Fast forward three years and Ben resolved to complete the cross-country bicycle tour for a cause of his own. It was at this time that he and his childhood friend Liam Hunt co-founded the Stratas Foundation with the vision of making mental health research more accessible in Canada.
That summer, they rode their bicycles 4,600 km across Canada in under two months, fundraising for the newly-created Stratas Foundation along the way.
Ben and Liam cycled over 4,600 kilometers from Newmarket, ON to Vancouver, BC.
All expenses incurred during the tour were 100% self-funded.
The tour embodied what Stratas is about: discovery, healthy living, and community.
Over $25,000 Raised
Funding eight scientists conducting critical mental health projects in Canada.
Taken moments after arriving at the Pacific Ocean , and so began Stratas.
We’re looking for volunteers.
Stratas is 100% volunteer-run, so we’re always looking for an extra helping hand. Most of our volunteers become research volunteers who summarize peer-reviewed scientific articles on mental health.
These summaries are then published on our social channels in an effort to provide accessible mental health knowledge to the public.