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With still two weeks to go before the Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride returns to Wollongong for a second year fundraising has already surpassed the 2017 total. September 30 is the second time the ride is held in the city to help reduce the number of men who die to young from prostate cancer and suicide. Wollongong ride co-organiser Jane Sim said a new record was set last Wednesday when members of the Illawarra Classic Motorcycle Club was presented $500 at City Coast Motorcycles. “It was a unanimous vote that we donate to this charity. A lot of our members are in this year’s event as well,” Kris Minter said. Last year 170 riders raised more than $20,500 on their classic and vintage motorcycles. This year the number of riders is expected to double and the fundraising is expected to do the same. “I am absolutely overwhelmed by this donation. It is a great example of community supporting community,” Mrs Sim said.. Read more: Looking dapper for a cause in Distinguished Gentleman's Ride for men’s health The Distinguished Gentleman’s Ride is a global event. On September 30 classic and vintage machines will roll out in more than 650 cities around the world to try and do something about male suicide prevention and prostate cancer research. The ride involves men and women dressing in their finest attire to raise funds and awareness in conjunction with the Movember Foundation. Donations can be made until the end of October. Denis Tobler brought an H model Triumph that turns 100 year old this month along to help present the cheque. It has no breaks and he fears with a belt drive instead of a chain turning the back wheel it may not get up the steep hills because of a lack of traction. His son has ridden it to Perth and back across the Nullarbor but for the hills around Wollongong will either need ditch the sidecar for the ride. “Solo it is quite good. Otherwise I will bring an older one which has got a chain drive on it,” he said. Mr Tobler has around 40 old bikes in his collection. Martin Edwards is going to wear a blue suit for the second year in a row and a 1962 BSA Golden Flash. Ron Parker has entered for the first time this year and will ride a Triumph Bonneville T100. It is a retro bike modeled on the 68 Bonneville. Phil Howchin is riding a 1972 XS-650 “I am looking forward to it because this is a really good cause,” he said. Peter Grimston is riding his father Ernie Grimston’s Matchless 500. “He had it in the 50’s. He restored and rode it until he was in his early 80’s. When he couldn’t ride anymore I took it over,” he said. John Davison said the ride will be something really enjoyable he can do while also supporting a great cause. Read more: Wollongong's first Distinguished Gentleman's Ride raises $18,000 and counting for Movember Foundation

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