PARKER, Colo. — A group of first responders and friends rode 100 miles on bicycles on Saturday to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
The ride started at 7:30 a.m. in Parker and went to C-470 and back. The group aimed to raise $10,000 for Rocky Mountain Police and Fire Chaplains.
“Most of us are from Aurora Fire Rescue,” firefighter Nathan Austin said. “We're putting our bodies on the line to help people recognize that there's a problem and our brothers and sisters need help with that problem.”
Tori Anderson was an Aurora Police officer who died by suicide.
“She passed in 2022 and it was like four days before Christmas,” her mother Holly Basinger said. “It was devastating. Just devastating.”
Her family had no idea she was struggling.
“We always praised Tori for being tough and strong, and she was the hero of the family,” Basinger said.
Rocky Mountain Police and Fire Chaplains is trying to prevent a story like hers from happening again. The group wants more riders to join them next year.
Basinger hopes these miles make for more meaningful interactions about mental health.
“Talking about suicide is OK,” Basinger said. “It's nothing to be ashamed about. And that's why we're here today.”