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<\/p>\nDAPPER gents on vintage motorbikes thundered into town this week for a bike ride with a difference.<\/p>\n
The Distinguished Gentleman\u2019s Ride unites classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men\u2019s mental health.<\/p>\n
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\u2019s health to date.<\/p>\n
Local organiser David Vervaart said the riders, who came from all over the Surf Coast and the Bellarine, descended on Geelong in style.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had 67 riders register primarily classic, modern classic, steel scooters, and cafe racers \u2026 but more importantly everyone was dressed up in bow ties and handlebar moustaches,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Every dollar raised goes to support men\u2019s health with a focus on prostate cancer and mental health.<\/p>\n
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Mr Vervaart said he was riding because he had been personally affected and the awareness about men\u2019s health issues in the community wasn\u2019t high enough.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve had family members die and contract prostate cancer and there are not many of us that don\u2019t know men who have had mental health issues, it has touched all of us,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Founder Mark Hawwa said the ride was growing in popularity each year.<\/p>\n
\u201cSince 2012, we\u2019ve made so many incredible connections and met so many inspiring people \u2026 it\u2019s really taken the world by storm,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Funds raised by the Distinguished Gentleman\u2019s Ride are donated to Movember which supports mental health initiatives such as the Veterans and First Responders Mental Health Grant program.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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Movember global director of mental health and suicide prevention, Brendan Maher, said the research being funded was vital.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe annual Distinguished Gentleman\u2019s 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cNow more than ever we need the Distinguished Gentleman\u2019s Ride community to ride dapper and donate to the cause to stop men dying too young.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DAPPER gents on vintage motorbikes thundered into town this week for a bike ride with a difference. The Distinguished Gentleman\u2019s Ride unites classic and vintage style motorcycle riders all over the world to raise funds and awareness for prostate cancer research and men\u2019s mental health. The ride was founded in Sydney in 2012, and now […]<\/p>\n