Distinguished gentlemen ride for awareness

DAPPER gents on vintage motorbikes thundered into town this week for a bike ride with a difference.

The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride unites classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men’s mental health.

The ride was founded in Sydney in 2012, and now takes place in more than 107 countries around the world and has raised over $35 million for men’s health to date.

Local organiser David Vervaart said the riders, who came from all over the Surf Coast and the Bellarine, descended on Geelong in style.

“We had 67 riders register primarily classic, modern classic, steel scooters, and cafe racers … but more importantly everyone was dressed up in bow ties and handlebar moustaches,” he said.

Every dollar raised goes to support men’s health with a focus on prostate cancer and mental health.

Mr Vervaart said he was riding because he had been personally affected and the awareness about men’s health issues in the community wasn’t high enough.

“I’ve had family members die and contract prostate cancer and there are not many of us that don’t know men who have had mental health issues, it has touched all of us,” he said.

Founder Mark Hawwa said the ride was growing in popularity each year.

“Since 2012, we’ve made so many incredible connections and met so many inspiring people … it’s really taken the world by storm,” he said.

Funds raised by the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride are donated to Movember which supports mental health initiatives such as the Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Grant program.

The program aims to improve mental health and wellbeing and prevent the suicide of firefighters, paramedics, police officers and military veterans who are disproportionately affected by poor mental health.

Movember global director of mental health and suicide prevention, Brendan Maher, said the research being funded was vital.

“The annual Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride event is essential in helping Movember to fund prostate cancer research and mental health programs that help to save the lives of men both in Australia, and around the world,” he said.

“Now more than ever we need the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride community to ride dapper and donate to the cause to stop men dying too young.”