Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk returns to Ontario June 16, en route to Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa

• Setting out from Winnipeg June 16, Clara Hughes continues the journey toward a stigma-free Canada with stops in Kenora, Dryden, Upsala, Thunder Bay, Terrace Bay, Marathon, Wawa, Sault Ste. Marie, Blind River, Sudbury, North Bay, Deep River and Arnprior
• Clara to complete her unprecedented 110-day bike journey around Canada in Ottawa on July 1      

WINNIPEG, June 15, 2014 /CNW/ - Starting tomorrow and for the next 2 weeks, Canadian Olympian Clara Hughes brings the Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk to communities across Northern Ontario.

Clara's Big Ride began March 14 in Toronto and has since visited all 10 provinces and all 3 territories. Tomorrow morning, Clara will be joined by Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger as she visits her alma mater, Elmwood High in Winnipeg, before beginning the ride to Kenora, ON.

"I'm having a wonderful time riding through my home province meeting so many great people in communities throughout Manitoba and seeing many old friends in my hometown of Winnipeg. I'd like to thank everyone here in Winnipeg and across the province for joining me in the conversation to create a stigma-free Canada," said Clara. "I'm looking forward to returning to Ontario tomorrow, Day 95 of the Big Ride and sharing mental health stories with Ontarians over the next 2 weeks."

Clara in Ontario
Clara will visit the following communities during her final 2-week Ride through Ontario:

Kenora – June 16 to 17
On June 16, Clara will attend "Kenora Welcomes Clara Hughes" taking place from 7 pm to 9 pm at the Whitecap Pavillion, Kenora Harbourfront.

Dryden – June 17 to 18
On June 17, Clara will attend "The Dryden Community Dinner with Clara Hughes" taking place from 5:30 pm to 8 pm at the Best Western Plus Hotel and Conference Centre, 349 Government Street.

Upsala – June 18 to 19
On June 18 at 8 pm, Clara will attend a welcome event at the Upsala Fire Hall, Highway 17 and North Road.

Thunder Bay – June 19 to 21
On June 19, Clara will attend "Start the Conversation to Stop the Stigma" taking place from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium, 1 Paul Shaffer Drive.

Terrace Bay – June 21 to 22
On June 21, Clara will attend the "Healthy Venue Fair" taking place from 6 pm to 8 pm at the Terrace Bay Cultural Centre, 13 Selkirk Avenue.

Marathon – June 22 to 23
On June 22, Clara will attend "An Evening with Clara, Family and Friends" taking place from 6 pm to 11 pm at the Penn Lake Park Band Shell.

Wawa – June 23 to 24
On June 23 at 5:45 pm, Clara will attend a welcome event at the Tourist Information Centre, 26 Mission Road.

Sault Ste. Marie – June 24 to 26
On June 24 at 5:45 pm, Clara will attend a welcome event at the Algoma Central Railway, 129 Bay Street. In the evening, Clara will attend an event with entertainment and desserts taking place from 6:30 pm to 9:30 pm at the Roberta Bondar Place Tent Pavilion, 65 Foster Drive.

Blind River – June 26 to 27
On June 26, Clara will attend "Blind River Welcomes Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk" taking place from 4 pm to 9 pm at the Blind River Community Centre, 110 Indiana Avenue.

Sudbury – June 27 to 28
On June 27, Clara will attend "Clara's Big Ride and Indian Dinner Fundraiser" taking place from 6 pm to 10 pm at the Steelworkers Hall, 66 Brady Street.

North Bay – June 28 to 29
On June 28 at 4 pm, Clara will attend a welcome event at Parker's Your Independent Grocer, 1 Laurentian Avenue. In the evening, Clara will attend "The North Bay Championship Weekend Fundraiser Dinner" which starts at 6 pm at the Canadore College, Airport Hangar, 100 College Drive.

Deep River - June 29 to 30
On June 29 at 6:30 pm, Clara will attend a welcome event at the park at Brockhouse Way and Staff House Road.

Arnprior - June 30 to July 1
On June 30, Clara will attend "Clara's Big Ride BBQ and Movie" taking place from 5 pm to 7 pm at the Robert Simpson Park, 400 John Street N.

Ottawa - July 1
Clara will ride into Ottawa on July 1 and will be welcomed during the Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill.

Each day of Clara's Big Ride in Ontario includes presentations at schools and other community events organized by local Community Champions. More details on daily events and the Big Ride Community Champions can be found at Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide.

"We thank our Community Champions in Manitoba, Ontario and across the country for their leadership and hard work to support Clara's Big Ride. It's through them that we're growing the mental health conversation and working to make all our communities stigma free," said Mary Deacon, Chair of Bell Let's Talk. "With the support of these great local champions, Clara's Big Ride is increasing awareness, acceptance and action at the grassroots level right across Canada."

Share in Clara's Big Ride
Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk began on March 14 and will visit communities in every province and territory before concluding in Ottawa on Canada Day, July 1. Everyone can participate in the Ride through community events and social media. Please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide or follow the latest Ride news on Twitter at @Bell_LetsTalk or on Facebook at Facebook.com/BellLetsTalk.

Clara's Big Ride is powered by our National Partners – Aimia, BMO, Canadian Tire, Cisco, Lundbeck, President's Choice and Samsung – who are providing significant support for the Ride. For more information, please visit Bell.ca/ClarasBigRide/Partners.

Bell Let's Talk
Bell Let's Talk promotes Canadian mental health with national awareness and anti-stigma campaigns, like Clara's Big Ride for Bell Let's Talk and Bell Let's Talk Day, and significant Bell funding of community care and access, research, and workplace initiatives. To learn more, please visit Bell.ca/LetsTalk.

SOURCE: Bell Canada

Media inquiries: Jacqueline Michelis, Bell Media Relations, 613 785-1427, [email protected]