Dubbed the ‘Mental Health Endurance Ride’, Health and Neil Coles are raising awareness for issues surrounding mental health as they travel 1000 kilometres through the Riverina, stopping at towns including Wagga, Tumbarumba, Tumut, Cootamundra, Temora and Griffith.

They will be in Cootamundra at about 3pm on Monday, with a barbecue to be held in Jubilee Park in their honour.

Mental illness affects one in five Australians each year and those promoting the ride say by enduring a 1000 kilometre bike ride together, Heath and Neil would like to demonstrate they you do not need to endure mental health problems alone.

The ride began on October 1 and will wrap up on October 7. Deputy mayor Jim Slattery will be on hand on Monday to welcome the dedicated duo and community members are invited to also attend and show their support.

Meanwhile, 14-year-old Geelong resident Rylan Bird and his relative Ray McNamara, will pass through Cootamundra as part of a 1000 kilometre bike ride from Sydney to Geelong.

Rylan is the son of Don Bird, a handyman from Geelong, who in August last year suffered a serious bout of pneumonia.

During this time he contracted a virus which attacked his phrenic nerve.

Don’s condition is life threatening and after many attempts by Geelong and Melbourne specialists to treat his condition, they are unable to do anything for him in Australia.

However, a surgeon in the United States is capable of operating on the paralysed nerve and through much mutual contact has agreed to operate in late October. The surgery will cost about $100 000.

In support of Don, the Don Bird Foundation has been established.

‘A Son’s Tour for Don’ will be in Yass on Sunday and at about 9am the duo will head towards Wallendbeen for a lunch stop before continuing onto Cootamundra. They are expected to arrive at about 2.15pm and will stay in Cootamundra overnight, before heading to Junee on Monday.