Bike club gathers to support mental health

By Rob Vogt, Local Press Writer
Every year on the August long weekend members of the Iron Order Motorcycle Club have their provincial party in a small town in Alberta.
Along with getting together, they try to give back to the community they visit.
This year they chose Claresholm and teamed up with Calgary Family Peer Connections for mental health and suicide awareness.
On Saturday, July 31, members of the club visited the home of Darlene Fedirchuk.
It has been seven years since her son Stephen died by suicide, and the Iron Order honoured his memory by presenting bereavement blankets to Fedirchuk and her family.
“Roads”, which is his club name, is one of the leaders of the Iron Order, and he said mental health challenges are more real than ever.
When he presented the blankets to Fedirchuk he told her to imagine all the members wrapping their arms around her for support when she used the blanket.
“You’re not alone,” he said.
The Iron Order rode to Chain Lakes for a day trip, but not before adding one more thing.
The club’s road captain asked Fedirchuk to take her son Stephen’s hat and placed it in a compartment on his motorcycle.
That way, Stephen will lead the ride to Chain Lakes and back.
There is a memorial to Stephen overlooking Pine Coulee, and the hat will eventually make its way there.
“Roads” said the club has three Alberta charters – Lethbridge, Calgary and Edmonton – and they have been going to Cold Lake the August long weekend the past few years.
This year they decided to move further south and decided on Claresholm.
“We thought we’d go somewhere we could make a difference in the community,” he said.
Mental health is an issue they support because it is becoming more prevalent, especially with the isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Not everyone has the personality to speak up so they need different ways to express how they are feeling.
“Aloneness hurts,” said “Roads”.