DISTINGUISHED gentlemen across the globe are riding together this weekend in support of prostate cancer and men’s mental health.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a charity event held on the last Sunday in September every year with gentlefolk riding their classic motorcycles to raise awareness and funds for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health programs.
Over 89,600 riders have already registered for this year’s event with $4.2m raised so far.
A team hailing from Adelaide spent time in the Blue Lake city yesterday before they continued their journey through to Sunday’s Melbourne event.
The Coast to Coast team consists of five motorbikes, a car and a support van with a total of eight members.
Former Mount Gambier resident Matthew Richardson combined with seven other motorcycle enthusiasts to bring together the team after taking part in last year’s event.
“I’m obviously a motorbike enthusiast and the two causes we’re fundraising for are both close to my heart so it just made sense to join the ride,” Mr Richardson said.
“We all have a lot of fun – we’re just enjoying the ride with our mates.
“To make things even sweeter we have managed to raise more than $10,000 already so that’s pretty special.”
Mr Richardson is currently leading the pack as an individual, having raised more than $5000 which puts him at the top of the leaderboard for the Melbourne event.
Team mate James Fechner is currently third overall with over $2500, putting the total Melbourne event tally at $93,819 at the time of print.
The team has held various fundraisers in the lead up to Sunday, including a charity auction and a motorbike show.
“We are lucky to have so much support from family, friends and businesses for our ride,” Mr Fechner said.
“It really has been a team effort and we could not do it without everyone rallying behind us.”
Starting their ride to Melbourne on Wednesday, the team has faced a few hurdles along the way.
“We have had a breakdown and other issues,” Mr Fechner joked.
“On Wednesday we took the bikes for a little ride on the beach and I hit a bit of seaweed which sent me off the front of the bike.
“Lucky I was not going too fast and I was not hurt but it’s all a bit of fun.”
The team travelled from Mount Gambier to Lavers Hill yesterday and will ride to Melbourne along the Great Ocean Road today ahead of Sunday’s event.
Visit www.gentlemansride.com/fundraiser/coasttocoasttour to support the Coast to Coast team.
