A 40 day voyage down the Ohio River beginning in Cincinnati will come to an end in Cairo, IL Thursday. But the purpose of the trip, to bring awareness to suicide prevention is just beginning for the three boys who are the youngest to brave the 981 mile trip in three kayaks.
Miami University students Jackson Grey and Tyler Brezina, and graduate Quintin Couch began the Race the River 2017 campaign to raise money for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. The cause is close to their hearts--all three of them have lost loved ones to suicide.
Race advisor Sabrina Jewell says the boys encountered bad weather and an injury since they began May 20. But she says there were people along the river to help throughout the journey, with many of those hosts having lost loved ones to suicide.
“We’ve been very excited by how many people have come out to support them, to provide housing,” she said. “They’ve made new friends all up and down the river.”
Jewell says the boys have raised $8,285 so far. The initial fundraising goal was $7,000.
Friends and family associated with the Race the River campaign will greet the boys when they reach Cairo Thursday.
They encourage donations to Jackson Grey’s campaign at the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
