North Canterbury News: December 10, 2020

RURAL LIFE
North Canterbury News, December 10, 2020
35
Pair pedal in support of farmers
By DAVID HILL
Two North Island farmers’
daughtersare riding the length
of the country to support
farmer mental health.
Ashlee Paulsenand Minna
Wilson cycled through North
Canterbury last weekontheir
journey from Cape Reingato
Blufftoraiseawareness of
farmer suicide.
‘‘We are both farmers’
daughtersand we grew up on
sheepand beeffarms in
central HawkesBay, so we are
awareabout ruralmental
health, but it’s not talked
about,’’Ashlee says.
‘‘Butsince we’vebeen on the
road so many peoplehave
come forwardand sharedtheir
stories.’’
The pair, who have been
closefriends since theywere
toddlers, decided to take time
out from their jobs.
Ashlee is aregistered nurse
at WaikatoHospital in
Hamilton, whileMinna is a
senior adviser in the Ministry
of Health’s Covid­19
Directorate in Wellington.
‘‘We decided to bikearound
the country and why not do it
for agreat cause?’’ Ashlee said.
‘‘I’ve been working on Covid
sinceFebruary, doing 10 to 12
hour days,sotoget this time
away from work has been
really good for our mental
health,’’Minna says.
The publicresponse has
beenoverwhelmingly positive,
aside from motorists at the top
of the North Island who were
lessthan friendly.
‘‘Weare having alot of fun
and meetinglots of people,’’
Ashlee says.
‘‘The people we’vemet in the
South Island havebeen so
friendly.’’
One highlight was getting
invited to speak to the children
at Kaihere School, asmall
rural school near Morrinsville.
‘‘They made us lunch.
‘‘It was so sweet and they
were so lovely.’’
While passing through North
Canterbury, the pair received a
mayoralreception from
Waimakariri Mayor Dan
Gordon and called into
Compass FM.
Thepair havebeen backed
by support crews, withAshlee’s
parentsproviding support
through the North Island and
Minna’s parents following
themthrough the South Island.
Along the journey,the pair
have beenraising funds for the
charity Surfing for Farmers.
‘‘It’s the perfectthing for
farmers,’’ Ashlee says.
‘‘They don’t havetotalk
about their feelings. They just
getout on the waves, have
some fun, meet otherfarmers,
andhave abarbecue.
‘‘Community is the most
important thing. Beingaround
peopleand making
connections.’’
On the road ... Ashlee Paulsen, left, and Minna Wilson stop off in
Kaikoura last week during their ‘‘Making Waves, Riding Bikes’’ tour.
PHOTO: DAVID HILL
The journey, Making Waves.
RidingBikes has asocialmedia
presence on Facebook and
Instagram. They also havea
Givealittle pagetosupport
Surfing for Farmers at
givealittle.co.nz/cause/
making­waves­riding­bikes.
BUILT TOLAST!
All types of fencing –Retaining Walls –Timber gates
-Horse Arenas /Paling fencing
Wishingeveryone asafeand Merry
Christmas andaprosperousNew Year
Ashley: 0274 364 776 ah: h 314 8541
e: A.Duckworth@xtra.co.nz
www.duckworthfencing.co.nz
Post &Rail Fencing -Looks great &
makes life easy for the Rural Lifestyler!
KAIKOURA RESIDENTS
–NEED ASURVEYOR?
Surveying |Engineering |Planning |Subdivisions
Topographical Surveys |Resource Management
Land Development |Civil Engineering |Project
Management |Building &Construction Setout
Mark O’Connor is available
for free, no obligation
consultations at the PGG
Wrightson Kaikoura office
Wednesday fortnightly.
Appointments required.
PHONE MARK 021 558 100
0800 802 4546 | Email: mark@bonisch.nz
2332156
2111416
20COC003
BARMOWERS
FROM2.4MTO3.5M
GMD 240 GMD 310 GMD 355
GMD 280 GMD 315
• PROTECTADRIVE cutter bar
safety system
• Fast-Fit blades as standard
• Hydraulic headland lift
Contact
us today
Leeston 03 324 3791 Amberley 03 314 9055 Ashburton 03 307 8027 Timaru 03 688 2179
www.cochranes.net.nz