On May 15, 2014, the Bipolar Disorder Society of BC hosted two very successful events that welcomed six-time Olympic Champion Clara Hughes into the Victoria, BC community.
At 3pm Clara was welcomed by dignitaries such as the Lieutenant Governor of BC and MLA Michelle Stilwell along with an impressive crowd of Victorians cheering her on. The ceremony was amazing having Kevin Breel introduce Clara and I was the Master of Ceremonies for the day. We were celebrating Clara's Big Ride. The ride consists of having Clara ride across Canada in 110 days, over 12,000 kms, with 95 community stops.
As Clara cut the large pink ribbon with the large pink scissors, the crowd cheered her on. Clara is an impressive individual who spoke so genuinely from the heart and was interviewed by our very own CFAX Bruce Williams. The event could not have gone better and the BDSBC was thrilled with its success.
As the day event wrapped up, many new faces came to the doors of the Victoria Public Market where I greeted people and welcomed them into our beautiful space. As people smiled, tasted wines from eight peninsula wineries, and had small bites from the Market vendors, people were happy indeed. Clara presented me with a Bell Let's Talk jersey after her captivating and heart felt speech. Her sister lives with bipolar disorder and Clara herself has experienced some significant mental health challenges. The night was flawless with a very successful live auction for the cause of funding the programs for the Bipolar Disorder Society of BC.
These events could not have been reached at such a pinnacle of success without the help of many people in my life. I thank all the volunteers that helped make the night wonderful, the many live auction businesses, the BDSBC team and all the people that put their heart into these events to make them magic.
As I was on stage, Clara and I hugged numerous times and cried, I will never forget that feeling of pure gratefulness and care. To make things even better she signed our YORK bike donated by Broad Street Cycles. We crowned her with a beautiful hat from Roberta's Hats and she shone beautifully in blue.
In much gratitude, thank you Clara Hughes and thank you everyone.
Andrea AKA Bipolar Babe
