A growing number of distinguished women are taking to two wheel machines to help raise funds and awareness about men's health issues.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
This Sunday the largest number of women ever is taking part in the Distinguished Gentleman's Ride in Wollongong where more than 200 vintage and classic motorcyclists dress up to help men.
Marketing and events manager Jane Sim said with a month of fundraising to go the 2019 event had already set a new fundraising record and surpassed the target of $65,215 raised in 2018.
The ride is held in more than 700 cities around the world and last year Wollongong's ranked the 20th highest fundraising city globally.
This year Mrs Sim thinks The Gong might crack the top 10.
"Wollongong at the moment is sitting 11th in the world. We have Australia's top fundraisers in this ride," she said.
Mrs Sim said it has become an annual highlight for her and many other women who enjoy being a part of the ride with the men.
"I get a creative kick out of putting on a show and The Distinguished Gentleman's ride is a spectacle like no other," she said.
"It's a niche event for specific types of motorcycles - classic and vintage. Participants dress up in their finery, fundraise and ride for the Movember Foundation.
"This is the third year City Coast Motorcycles has hosted the Wollongong Ride. The event raises awareness for men's mental health and prostate cancer.
"I'm excited about the increase in the number of women registering. We ride, too and are also touched by these issues. My husband Tim and I have both had uncles suffer with prostate cancer. This is for the men in our lives, including our fathers, my two brothers and our son.
"There's something like 54,000 registered charities in Australia vying for attention and it's vital we keep men's health issues in the spotlight".
Mrs Sim said she also enjoyed the way the Disinguished Gentleman's Ride breaks the mould of what a typical motorcyclist looks like.
"Participants dress up to the hilt in tweed jackets or dinner suits," she said.
First time rider this year Jacqui Appleby is doing it in memory of her uncle Frank.
"He passed away from prostate cancer on 11/11/2011 which was Remembrance Day. I will never forget him. I am also doing this to raise awareness," she said.
Wollongong lawyer Luciana Rossi said it was her third ride and she did it because her father, father-in-law and her partner's uncle all had prostate cancer.
Read more:
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
