More than 100 bikers dressed top to bottom in their finest tweeds, bow-ties and sporting exquisitely groomed moustaches thundered through the streets and roads of Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire yesterday to raise vital funds for men’s health causes.
A total of 114 charitable chaps took part in this year’s Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride from Aberdeen to Stonehaven.
The gents rode a huge variety of classic and vintage vehicles along Union Street, Holburn Street and the Beach Esplanade to raise more than £18,000 for prostate cancer and men’s mental health organisations.
Sponsored by the Aberdeen-based bike dealership Shirlaws, the event was the third such ride held in the city – though the annual event takes place in cities across the world.
Among the riders this year in Aberdeen were prostate cancer survivors themselves – some of whom raised more than £2,000 for the causes.
Lenny Webster, one of the organisers of the event, said: “It’s just been absolutely fantastic, we couldn’t have asked for a better turnout or a better response.
“I can’t believe we’ve managed to raise so much money together. It was a really good effort by everyone involved.
“Aberdeen held smaller events last year and in 2016, but this was our biggest and most successful one yet.”
Mr Webster added: “The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is part of the Movember movement and it’s now spread across dozens of countries to become a global event.
“Prostate cancer is sadly an unspoken illness, especially in the motorcycle scene.
“There’s this image of bikers that you think you have to be a big hard man and you don’t talk about your problems, like prostate cancer or mental health issues, so this event is focused on not just raising money, but reminding people that it’s okay to talk about these problems.
“There’s too many men committing suicide every year and too many dying of prostate cancer. We need to make sure that these problems are caught as early as possible.
“If something feels wrong with your prostate, speak to your GP. If you have mental health problems, speak to someone.
“Nobody should feel like they can’t speak out.”
To donate to the dapper biker’s fundraising efforts, visit www.gentlemansride.com and search for Aberdeen.
