Cambridge’s Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride raises £39817 for charity
Gentlemen – and ladies – on vintage motorcycles trundled through the streets of Cambridge recently in the name of men’s health.
A large group of motorcyclists, sporting tweed jackets, ties, cravats, flat caps, fezzes, bow-ties and waistcoasts – among other sartorial delights – made their way through the city on Sunday (September 30) for the annual Distinguished Gentlemen’s Ride.
The ride started at Cambridge United’s Abbey Stadium and, after a mid-ride stop at Hotel Felix on Huntingdon Road, finished at the Gog Farm Shop and Cafe, which has supported the ride since it began in 2016.
Founded in Sydney, Australia, by Mark Hawwa in 2012, the event shines a spotlight on men’s health in more than 600 cities around the world and is held every year on the last Sunday in September.
Motorcycle enthusiasts come together to support projects fighting the two biggest causes of early death in men: suicide and prostate cancer.
The Cambridge ride is also supported by some local businesses, one of which – Hot Numbers cafe and roastery – created a new blend of coffee with sales proceeds being donated to the ride. The Movember Foundation is the charity partner.
Cambridge host and organiser, Edward Stow, said: “We had 400 people registered on Sunday morning. I didn’t do a count on the day, but I would expect it to be somewhere between 390 and 400 riders.”
The total amount of money raised this year was well up on last year.
“The final total hasn’t come through yet,” said Edward, “but I would expect us to be at about £38,100. My goal this year, quietly, was £40,000 and I think we’ve pretty much done it.”
The 2017 event raised £24,000.
This total – with the addition of the coffee money – puts Cambridge in second place in the UK, behind London, and 14th in the world.
“We are a small city, but we have a very vibrant economy,” said Edward. “There’s a lot of good business here with the potential for sponsorship.”
gentlemansride.com/rides/england/cambridge
