The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride heads back to the Sunshine Coast this May, and organisers want to make this year’s ride the biggest in the event’s illustrious history.
There are many great charities and causes to support throughout the year, however men’s health still often takes a backseat, mainly due to the she’ll be right nature of many men.
The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride (DGR) is now held in over 100 countries around the world, but it is proudly an Australian invention.
DGR was founded in Sydney, by Mark Hawwa, and was inspired by a photo of TV Show Mad Men’s Don Draper astride a classic motorbike and wearing his finest suit.
Mark decided a themed ride would be a great way of connecting motorcycle and scooter enthusiasts, while raising funds to support the men in our lives.
The event certainly touched a nerve and soon spread around the world and by 2019 was held in 678 cities in 104 countries.
With the momentum of the event facing the obvious challenge of the pandemic, Mark and his team launched a solo ride campaign in 2020 which resulted in DGR getting held in 2531 cities in 171 countries (At the last count, there are only 195 countries on the planet). To date, DGR has raised over $37m for prostate cancer and men’s mental Health issues.
DGR partners with the Movember Foundation and more than just the money raised, the event has shone a spotlight on men’s health concerns and allowed men to finally talk about their problems in a safe and supported environment.
DGR Sunshine Coast is now in its ninth year and is also gaining momentum.
The current local hosts, Carl Burroughs and Scott Macken, have expanded the occasion to include a post ride event so all the family can get involved, not just those who can ride a two-wheeled machine.
DGR worldwide will be held on Sunday 21 May.
The ride route will be announced to those riders who register on the DGR website in the coming weeks.
The post ride event will be held at The Apollonian Hotel at Boreen Point from 12.30pm and will include free entertainment, competitions, which will include best dressed child and best dressed pet, plus lots of prizes donated by the event’s sponsors.
So how can you help?
Riders – please register for the ride, spread the word on social media and get your friends and family to sponsor you.
Non-riders – put the post ride event in your calendar, share on social media and encourage your friends and family to attend and to sponsor a rider.
Businesses – There are two ways for businesses to help. Firstly, if you would like to become a sponsor of the event, some sponsorship opportunities are still available. Contributions are very modest and are mainly about publicity and providing a suitable prize. If you don’t want to sponsor the event, but can spread the word to your customers, then posters are available to display in windows and social media posts available to help you spread the word.
All help and participation will be greatly appreciated and will contribute to a fun day and raising awareness and funds for men’s health.
To register for the ride, visit gentlemansride.com
To register your interest in sponsorship opportunities or to display posters, simply contact ride host Carl on carl@idm.com.au
So, let’s ride for good on Sunday 21 May.
