Rob McGrigor preparing for the Black Dog Ride to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention. Contributed

MENTAL health nurse Rob McGrigor is set to swap working on the ward with the riding on the open highway - all in the name of a good cause.

Mr McGrigor, who works at Toowoomba's Baillie Henderson Hospital, will combine two of his passions when he joins hundreds of other motorbike riders on a week-long journey to the Red Centre as part of the Black Dog Ride to raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention.

As a Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiast and keen mental health support advocate, Mr McGrigor said he was looking forward to joining the collective effort to raise awareness.

"I really enjoy motorbike riding - it's how I got my nickname Highway Man," he said.

"My team mates are also mental health nurses and are from Brisbane - Rick is known as Woodcutter because of his snoring, and Paul's nickname is Miyagi as he's like the character from the Karate Kid movie.

"I love to get out for a ride as much as I can, as much for my mental health as anything.

"Being on the bike resonates well and if you ride a Harley for a while you get a beat which is like a massage with the 'pitata pitata' of the bike's movement.

"It's very therapeutic and there's lots of time to allow answers to questions to slowly evolve."

Mr McGrigor has also provided mental health first aid training in the past and is a trained music therapist who works with clients from various groups including special education units, disability services, and mental health organisations.

He started the local Rainbow Choir eight years ago, and smiles as he says the choir "caters for children from seven to 90".

"It's a choir for all abilities and aims to reduce the invisibility of disability," he said.

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Riders from the southern part of Queensland will depart from Brisbane this Saturday August 15 and travel to Uluru via Roma, Longreach, Winton, Mt Isa, Tennant Creek, and Alice Springs.

To donate go to https://www.everydayhero.com.au/event/ridetotheredcentre2015