MOTORCYCLE engines are set to roar this month with Ballarat one of half a dozen regional areas to host Black Dog Ride\u2019s annual one day event.<\/p>\n
More than 100 motorcyclists are expected to converge at Buninyong to kick off a day-long ride with the aim of raising awareness for men\u2019s mental health.<\/p>\n
The event\u2019s regional coordinator for Ballarat, Tejas Shah said the event has been a key initiative for Black Dog Ride since its establishment.<\/p>\n
\u201cBack in 2009, there was a guy Steve Andrews who lost his best friend\u2019s wife through suicide. It affected him so he rode around the country raising awareness with a little soft toy black dog behind his bike,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFrom there this has started all across Australia with the national event on the third weekend of every March and with the same voice and the same goal of raising awareness around mental health and depression.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe raise money that goes into the Black Dog bucket for organisations like Lifeline and Beyond Blue where they can apply for grants for us for whatever projects they\u2019re working on.\u201d<\/p>\n
Taking place on Sunday 17 March, the local event will begin at the Buninyong Men\u2019s Shed with a breakfast.<\/p>\n
Riders will head off at 10am towards Ballan before stopping at Meredith and continuing through the Brisbane Ranges and ending at Wyndham Harbour with a barbecue, raffle, and auction.<\/p>\n
Mr Shah was one of 122 participants in the Ballarat event last year and said the initiative is making a difference.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got thousands of people joining the ride each year and more than 2000 people involved in the event across the country,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ride started here probably about 10 years ago but was shut for about five years until I restarted it last year. It was a good success and this year I\u2019m aiming for more.\u201d<\/p>\n